Canterbury

This informative and entertaining book, written by well-known Canterbury historian, Doreen Rosman, explores 500 often overlooked years in the life of the city. In these readable and well-illustrated pages can be found accounts of the destruction of Becket’s famous shrine and Canterbury’s great monasteries; tales of hundreds of Protestant refugees who brought new weaving skills to Kent; the story of disgruntled citizens who rioted against a parliamentary ban on Christmas festivities; and insights into the lives of the Georgian social élite. The author traces the development of the city, its industries, military connexions, and leisure activities. She tells of its devastation by German bombers, but also charts its renaissance with the construction of new shops, housing estates, schools, and universities. Throughout it all, the cathedral’s great Bell Harry Tower, which was completed around 1500, has continued to soar over the rooftops, a welcoming landmark for pilgrims long ago and for the thousands of students and tourists who come to Canterbury today.