Educating Canterbury

Our city has a 1400 year history of education dating from 600AD and the establishment of monastic schools of learning under King Ethelbert. Over the centuries educational establishments have increased in number and importance until today along with tourism, it is Canterbury’s most important source of income. This historical walk takes a look at this extraordinary growth and the reasons driving it ranging from the promotion of Christianity, reducing social inequality and increasing economic growth. One of the recurring features is that the outcomes of educational changes were often unexpected and shockingly at odds with the intentions of reformers. A good example is the blasphemous atheism of playwright Christopher Marlowe who was a product of the educational system of Protestant reformers of the 16th century.

This is a free guided history walk about 1.5 miles long.