Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original lovely illustrations. See 13890-h.htm or 13890-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/9/13890/13890-h/13890-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/9/13890/13890-h.zip) BEAUTIFUL BRITAIN Canterbury by GORDON HOME MCMXI [Illustration] [Illustration] "When that Aprillé with his showerés soote [= sweet] The drought of March hath piercéd to the roote, * * * * * "Then longen folk to go on pilgrimages, And palmers for to seeken strangé strands, To ferme [=ancient] halwes [=shrines] knowthe [=known] in sundry lands And specially from every shirés end Of Engéland, to Canterbury they wend, The holy, blissful martyr for to seek That them hath holpen when that they were sick." CHAUCER: _Canterbury Tales_. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE PILGRIM'S APPROACH TO THE CITY II. THE STORY OF CANTERBURY III. THE CATHEDRAL IV. THE CITY INDEX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PLATE 1. THE NAVE OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL (Frontispiece) 2. CHRIST CHURCH GATE 3. THE CATHEDRAL FROM NORTH-WEST 4. THE "ANGEL" OR "BELL HARRY" TOWER AND THE LAVATORY TOWER OF THE CATHEDRAL 5. THE CHAPEL OF "OUR LADY" IN THE UNDERCROFT OF THE CATHEDRAL 6. THE WARRIOR'S CHAPEL 7. THE MARTYRDOM IN THE NORTH-WEST TRANSEPT 8. THE DOORWAY FROM THE CLOISTERS TO THE MARTYRDOM 9. THE GREYFRIARS' HOUSE IN CANTERBURY 10. THE HOUSE OF THE CANTERBURY WEAVERS 11. WESTGATE CANTERBURY FROM WITHIN 12. THE NORMAN STAIRCASE TO THE KING'S SCHOOL (On the cover) [Illustration: PLAN OF CANTERBURY, SHOWING THE CHIEF STREETS AND THE MOST INTERESTING BUILDINGS. REFERENCE A. Mercery Lane. B. St. Peter's Church. C. All Saints' Church. D. St. Margaret's Church. E. Poor Priests' Hospital. F. St. Margarets Street. G. Green Court. H. Archbishops' Palace. J. Norman Staircase. K. St. George's Church. L. Site Of Roman Gate. M. Greyfriars. N. Christ Church Gate. O. St. Alphege's Church. P. St. Mary Bredin Church] CHAPTER I THE PILGRIM'S APPROACH TO THE CITY