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Canterbury Cathedral: Unique artefacts go on display in new exhibition

News imageCanterbury Cathedral Black Prince's cap of maintenance and crest.Canterbury Cathedral
The Black Prince's cap of maintenance and crest date from the 14th century

A collection of artefacts has gone on display for the first time as part of a "highly-anticipated" new exhibition at Canterbury Cathedral.

The objects include the first known piece of Christian art made in England after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons.

Making History: Church, State and Conflict focuses on the relationship between archbishops and kings.

Officials described the exhibition as a "small treasure at the heart of the cathedral".

News imageCanterbury Cathedral Helmet of Edward, The Black PrinceCanterbury Cathedral
Medieval warrior Edward, The Black Prince, wore this helmet

The exhibition also includes:

  • Grant from William de Tracy - A penitential gesture from one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket in 1170.
  • The Accord of Winchester - An 11th Century document establishing the supremacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury over the Archbishop of York.
  • Papal Mandate from Innocent III - A document from 1205 ordering King John to accept the elected Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • The Lyghfield Bible - A late 13th Century pocket Bible written on high quality parchment.
News imageCanterbury Cross Canterbury CrossCanterbury Cross
The Canterbury Cross is a significant example of Anglo-Saxon Christian art

Dr Sarah Turner, collections manager at Canterbury Cathedral, said: "Each object tells a story, sometimes of faith or trust, of anger or repentance, and each one shines a light onto the complex history of the Cathedral."

The permanent exhibition is part of the Canterbury Journey, a multi-million-pound project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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