St. Anselm’s Chapel – Canterbury Cathedral
Anselm was the archbishop of Canterbury Cathedral from 1093 to 1109.
During his primacy the eastern end of the cathedral was considerably remodelled, and the length of the building nearly doubled.
Renowned as an influential theologian, philosopher and statesman of his time he was canonised in about 1170.
This twelfth century chapel was originally dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.
Following Anselm’s death in 1109 he was buried elsewhere in the cathedral.
His remains are believed to have been relocated to this chapel during the rebuilding and reorganisation of the cathedral in the 1170s, after which the chapel became known as St Anselm’s Chapel.
St Anselm’s altar was created by artist Stephen Cox and consecrated on 21 April 2006.
The altar was a gift from the people of the Italian Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta, birthplace of Anselm.
It is made from Aosta marble, chosen for its dark colour and unique markings reflecting the mountainous region.
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