Category Archives: Cathedrals

A Canterbury Tale: sudden death and a hint of poison

Posted on March 19, 2016 by tthurai

At the east end of Canterbury Cathedral is a mysterious tomb. Placed awkwardly between two pillars, it lies in one of the Cathedral’s most prestigious burial sites, the Trinity Chapel, formerly the location of Becket’s shrine. This unadorned tomb is … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, Exiles, History, Huguenots, Odet de Coligny | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Devil’s Advocate? Witches vs The Law

Posted on October 28, 2015 by tthurai

What images are conjured up by the word ‘witch’? Hags silhouetted against the night-sky performing aerial acrobatics on broomsticks or brewing strange potions in a cauldron? Strange old ladies accompanied by black cats? Or children with black pointed hats and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, History, Law, Myth, Witches | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Murder, Martyrdom and the Quest for Bones

Posted on December 29, 2014 by tthurai

As the sun was setting late in December, four armed men strode through the Cathedral precincts determined to arrest one of the country’s most powerful men – or, at least, teach him a lesson. They had probably been drinking and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, History, King Henry II, Plantagenets, Rochester, St Thomas Becket, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Homeward Bound: The Answer to a Riddle

Posted on November 5, 2014 by tthurai

Yesterday I posted ‘Homeward Bound’, a riddle in short story form. Here, as promised, is the answer. The narrator of my story – and the answer to my riddle – is a very special book: the Textus Roffensis. Written in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cathedrals, Fiction, History, Magical Realism, Myth, Riddles, Rochester, Short stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Homeward Bound

Posted on November 4, 2014 by tthurai

I am sleepy now. It’s quiet in here. They still treat me with reverence and speak in hushed voices; just as they did in my old home. But there, I had more visitors. Now, I may not see anyone for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cathedrals, Fiction, History, Riddles, Short stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment