The cathedral's charters detail heritage of outstanding importance

The Chartae Antiquae has been recatalogued and covers more than 7,000 items dating from between the 8th to the 20th centuries.

It reflects most aspects of the life of Canterbury Cathedral Priory and gives information on local people and places in Canterbury and east Kent.

The charters can be accessed via the Kent Archives Service website.

Thomas Becket

They include the document which established the archbishop's primacy, with the "signature" of William the Conqueror.

There is also a grant of land in Devon from William de Tracy, one of the murderers of Thomas Becket, and a description of a miracle at his shrine in 1445.

A collection of more than 3,300 seals can also be viewed - the pieces of coloured wax are stamped with distinctive designs and inscriptions and attached to documents representing people and their lives from all social classes, including monarchs and archbishops.

Librarian Canon Richard Marsh said he was delighted that the great archival treasures of Canterbury Cathedral were now being brought to a much wider audience through the internet.