In Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous work, The Canterbury Tales, the distance between London and Canterbury plays a significant role in the plot. The journey from London to Canterbury was a common pilgrimage route during the Middle Ages, and Chaucer’s characters embark on this journey to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Distance from London to Canterbury
The distance between London and Canterbury is approximately 55 miles or 88.5 kilometers. This distance may not seem significant today, but in the Middle Ages, it was a long and grueling journey that could take several days on foot or horseback. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer’s characters set out on their pilgrimage from the Tabard Inn in Southwark, which was located just south of the River Thames in London.
The Pilgrimage to Canterbury
Chaucer’s pilgrims come from all walks of life – there are knights, nuns, merchants, and even a cook among them. They all gather at the Tabard Inn and agree to travel together on their pilgrimage to Canterbury. As they journey toward their destination, they share stories with one another to pass the time.
The Importance of Saint Thomas Becket
The reason for the pilgrims’ journey is to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Becket was a revered figure in medieval England – he had served as Archbishop of Canterbury under King Henry II but had been exiled after a disagreement with the king. When he returned to England years later, he was murdered by four knights who had been influenced by Henry II’s words.
Becket’s murder shocked England and turned him into a martyr. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe during the Middle Ages.
- The Impact of The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is a masterpiece of English literature. It provides a window into the lives and customs of medieval England and showcases Chaucer’s skill as a storyteller. The tales themselves are varied – some are humorous, while others are moralistic or even bawdy.
But perhaps the most significant impact of The Canterbury Tales is its portrayal of the pilgrimage to Canterbury. Chaucer’s work helped to popularize the idea of pilgrimage in England and beyond. It also helped to cement the importance of Saint Thomas Becket in English culture.
Conclusion
The distance from London to Canterbury may seem like a small detail, but it played an important role in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The journey itself was arduous, but it was made more bearable by the companionship and storytelling among the pilgrims. And ultimately, their destination – the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket – was a powerful symbol of faith and devotion during the Middle Ages.