Canterbury Cathedral: Unique artefacts go on display in new exhibition

The Black Prince's cap of maintenance and crest date from the 14th century

A collection of artefacts has gone on display for the first time as part of a "highly-anticipated" new exhibition at Canterbury Cathedral.

The objects include the first known piece of Christian art made in England after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons.

Making History: Church, State and Conflict focuses on the relationship between archbishops and kings.

Officials described the exhibition as a "small treasure at the heart of the cathedral".

Medieval warrior Edward, The Black Prince, wore this helmet

The exhibition also includes:

• Grant from William de Tracy - A penitential gesture from one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket in 1170.

• The Accord of Winchester - An 11th Century document establishing the supremacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury over the Archbishop of York.

• Papal Mandate from Innocent III - A document from 1205 ordering King John to accept the elected Archbishop of Canterbury.

• The Lyghfield Bible - A late 13th Century pocket Bible written on high quality parchment.

The Canterbury Cross is a significant example of Anglo-Saxon Christian art

Dr Sarah Turner, collections manager at Canterbury Cathedral, said: "Each object tells a story, sometimes of faith or trust, of anger or repentance, and each one shines a light onto the complex history of the Cathedral."

The permanent exhibition is part of the Canterbury Journey, a multi-million-pound project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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