England: The Canterbury Tales & Henry VIII

Study Leader - Nancy Mason Bradbury

Nancy Mason Bradbury is a 1974 graduate of Smith College; she earned a doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in 1986. She has taught in Smith’s English department for 22 years and is currently serving as chair. Her courses include The Uses of Storytelling, Chaucer, Arthurian Legend, Victorian ...more

Summary

With the murder of Thomas Becket on the altar of Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, Canterbury immediately became the most important shrine in England and much of Europe, as pilgrims from far and wide traveled there to worship. Geoffrey Chaucer memorialized these journeys in his unfinished classic, The Canterbury Tales. This program explores the turbulent times of 14th-century English history during the Great Schism in the Catholic Church, and including the Peasant’s Revolt and the deposition of Richard II.

In London, visit places related to the Canterbury pilgrimage with a walking tour of Southwark and Borough High Street, an area rich in medieval character. Dine at the half timbered George Inn, where many pilgrims started their journey. Travel to Rochester, Faversham and Harbledown along the footsteps of the faithful, walking the well-preserved Pilgrims’ Way through the beautiful countryside of Kent. Three nights in Canterbury allow time to visit the cathedral and learn the story of Thomas Becket. See Dover, the gateway for pilgrims from the continent and explore the famous coastline of the English Channel. From this location in Kent explore some of England’s most beautiful and charming countryside, a region favored by Henry VIII.

Moving forward in time, learn about 15th-century England and Henry’s life with visits and tours of some of his many castles and stately country homes. See Dover Castle, Knole House and Penshurst Place, all locations used in filming The Other Boleyn Girl. Spend the final two nights in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a Georgian spa town set in the midst of the Weald, a natural landscape nestled between the North and South Downs. The program culminates with an elaborate banquet in the historic Great Hall of Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn.

Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: USA / LONDON
• Day 2: LONDON
• Day 3: LONDON
• Day 4: LONDON / OXFORD / LONDON
• Day 5: LONDON / CANTERBURY
• Day 6: CANTERBURY
• Day 7: CANTERBURY / DOVER / CANTERBURY
• Day 8: CANTERBURY / ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
• Day 9: ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
• Day 10: ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS / USA
• Day 11: LONDON
• Day 12: LONDON
• Day 13: LONDON / USA