© P.Blanche 1998

"Her ancient decks were worn and wrinkled, like the pilgrim-worshipped flag-stone
in Canterbury Cathedral where Beckett bled." (........Herman Melville - Moby Dick)

When I was a lot younger this area in the North West Transept was very plain and simple in keeping with the normal manner in which the Church of England tended to be decorated. More recently, for some obscure reason that escapes me at present, there is now a terrible looking green representation of Christ on the Christ Church Gate (which I have already complained about in these pages), and in addition, we now have this floodlit "altar" with jagged ironwork hanging over it in the Martyrdom which looks totally out of place. ^{(*see footnote)}

For as long as I can remember (and obviously for a lot longer than that), the spot where Thomas à Becket was slain, was represented by a small square dark coloured stone set in the floor - which can no longer be seen because of these horrible slabs that have been stuck on top of it. It's not difficult to tell that I don't like these changes but then again, it's just one man's opinion.

The following picture, which is from a very old postcard shows the way that the Martyrdom use to look:

Inserted into the picture you can see a green stripe and a red stripe. On the right hand side of the green stripe, you should just be able to see a very small black mark on the floor. This is the place at which the skull of St. Thomas was supposed to have lain immediately following his assassinating. At the right hand side of the red stripe you should just be able to see the outline of a picture hanging on the wall of the Choir Aisle which could be seen clearly from the Martyrdom if you chose to look up at it. It was a dramatic Victorian work of the murder of St. Thomas by John Cross which, although being historically inaccurate, was a powerful representation of the murder of The Saint and yet, from where it hung seemed to me, to add to the atmosphere. The picture was originally purchased by some friends of John Cross when he died at the early age of 42 in 1861 to assist his family who were somewhat destitute, which seems to be a familiar plight with artists. The group of friends then presented the picture to The Cathedral as a gift because there didn't seem any more obvious place for the work. It has been removed recently, probably in 1992, although I do not know why or to where.

© P.E. Blanche Canon Alexander Chapman detail from the monument

The Monument to Canon Alexander Chapman located on the wall of the Martyrdom above the green stripe was removed when the new altar was installed and relegated to the Choir Aisle where the John Cross picture once hung. The carving of the monument is attributed to Nicholas Stone.

I believe that the Martyrdom had a peace and tranquility previously that has been totally destroyed by this new alter and the glare of the floodlights.

 

Footnote: I have recently read an excellent book called Canterbury - History and Guide by Tim Tatton-Brown (unfortunately now out of print) and it would seem that some of my opinions are echoed by him:

In regard to the Martyrdom, he states, "...but a particularly ugly modern altar was put here in 1986, apparently to commemorate the Pope's visit in May, 1992".
Concerning The Christ Church Gate he writes: "the green...and gilt statue of "The Welcoming Christ" was added in 1990. The Statue is, in my opinion, not very beautiful and too large for the niche".

These two items seem to be, rather like mine, his only complaints about this beautiful building and with his knowledge of architecture, he is very much more qualified than I am to put forward these viewpoints. Don't let these two comments put you off the book if you can get hold of a copy. I repeat it is an excellent book and "a must" for anyone with an interest in Canterbury.

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