What is the purpose of the Canterbury pilgrimage?

What is the purpose of the Canterbury pilgrimage?

The reason given for the pilgrimage in the General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales is to visit the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. Becket was a Christian martyr who was believed to have special healing powers.

Why did Chaucer use pilgrimage?

The use of a pilgrimage as the framing device enabled Chaucer to bring together people from many walks of life: knight, prioress, monk; merchant, man of law, franklin, scholarly clerk; miller, reeve, pardoner; wife of Bath and many others.

Why do Christians go on a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral?

Soon after the death of Thomas Becket, Pope Alexander canonised him and the murdered priest was elevated to sainthood. Becket’s shrine at Canterbury now became the most important place in the country for pilgrims to visit. The monks were afraid that Becket’s body might be stolen. …

When did the Canterbury pilgrimage start?

A Holy Year, first instituted in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII who offered an indulgence to all who went to Rome in that year. At Canterbury they were on 50 year anniversaries of Becket’s martyrdom, notably in 1370 and 1420.

What is Lourdes pilgrimage?

The pilgrimage site of Lourdes is near the Pyrenees mountains in France. They come to Lourdes to see the site of a famous vision experienced by a young girl called Bernadette Soubirous and to be healed by its supposedly miraculous waters.

Why is the knight on pilgrimage?

In the prologue of The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer describes each character traveling on the pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral to pay homage to Saint Thomas Becket’s shrine. Based on the descriptions for this character, the Knight was one of a few characters that were well-respected by Chaucer.

Why is Canterbury Cathedral important?

Canterbury Cathedral was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England. While the cathedral had huge significance at both a religious and political level in medieval times, its importance as a centre of pilgrimage greatly increased after the murder of Thomas Becket there in 1170.

What is the meaning of Lourdes?

The name Lourdes is primarily a female name of French origin that means French Place Name. From Lourdes, France. Refers to a vision of the Virgin Mary.

What does the Knight do?

Often, a knight was a vassal who served as an elite fighter, a bodyguard or a mercenary for a lord, with payment in the form of land holdings. The lords trusted the knights, who were skilled in battle on horseback.

Why is the Canterbury Tales about a pilgrimage?

The Canterbury Tales. The pilgrimage, which in medieval practice combined a fundamentally religious purpose with the secular benefit of a spring vacation , made possible extended consideration of the relationship between the pleasures and vices of this world and the spiritual aspirations for the next.

Why do pilgrims go to Canterbury Cathedral?

Why are the pilgrims going to Canterbury? The reason that all of the travelers are going to Canterbury is to pay their respects to Saint Thomas a Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket went down in history as a martyr and a saint for standing up for his faith, and the 30 travelers are on a pilgrimage to see the tomb of Becket.

Whose shrine are the pilgrims planning to visit at Canterbury?

Becket’s shrine at Canterbury now became the most important place in the country for pilgrims to visit. When Becket was killed, local people apparently managed to obtain pieces of cloth soaked in his blood.

What were the names of the Pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales?

ROGERS, P. BURWELL. “The Names of the Canterbury Pilgrims .”. Analyzes the names Chaucer assigns to several of his Canterbury pilgrims (Eglantine, Hubert, John, daun Piers, Hodge, Harry Baily, Robyn, and Alice) and comments upon his more general use of generic terms for labels (e.g., the Knight, the Merchant, etc.).