PLAN OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
Other Churches and Objects of Interest
St. Martin's Church, traditionally said to be the oldest church in the kingdom, is certainly of great antiquity. A large number of Roman bricks are built up in the walls. It contains a stone coffin, in which it is said that Queen Bertha lies, the wife of King Ethelbert, converted by Augustine, but this is improbable. The font is Saxon, and it is, according to tradition, which is not very reliable, the font in which Ethelbert was baptised.
St. Augustine's College for Missionaries was formerly the Monastery of St. Augustine. The earliest house was dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, said to have been founded by Augustine. Dunstan enlarged it, and added the founder's name to the dedication. It became very rich and important. The buildings were destroyed by the Danes, but they arose again in greater glory, and at the dissolution of monasteries the house became a Royal palace. The buildings are well worthy of a visit.
St. Dunstan's Church.
The West Gate, built by Archbishop Sudbury, temp. Richard II.
Holy Cross Church.
St. Peter's Church.
St. Thomas's Hospital for Entertainment of Pilgrims.
The remains of the old Chequers Inn at the south-west corner of Mercery Lane, can be traced, and a portion of it is incorporated in the house known as Grafton House. There are some fine old houses in this street, anciently called La Merceri, each stone projecting outwards, so as almost to meet at the top, typical of an old English city street.