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Review of monuments brings heritage to light
Following several years of collaboration with local groups and academics, Canterbury Cathedral has published a review of its memorials and monuments, examining their history, the people and events they commemorate, and whether they are connected to enslavers or colonialism.
Key findings of the Bringing Heritage to Light review are:
- There is no monument or memorial within the Cathedral Church identified as having a connection with slave owners or enslavers.
- Many monuments and memorials within the Cathedral relate to the 19th century period of British colonialism and imperial expansion.
- Within an area of the Cathedral grounds used as a builders’ yard, is a cracked grave slab to Nathaniel Herring, an 18th-century slave owner. The slab was removed from the Cathedral in the 1990s when the Nave was repaved.
- Interpretation materials are needed that fully explore the fascinating and complex history of the Cathedral’s memorials and monuments, allowing visitors to consider a range of perspectives and voices.
Speaking about the Review’s publication, David Monteith, The Dean of Canterbury, said:
In recent years we have become more conscious than ever of the way that the monuments and memorials in our Cathedral Church tell the stories of the powerful in our history and the victors in our wars. We are also more aware now that there are other stories; and that Jesus characteristically spoke of release for the captives and freedom for the oppressed.
The work presented in this review is just the beginning of identifying monuments in our heritage which need fresh interpretation – not to deny (for example) the bravery of those remembered, but to add to that side of the story the memory of those they fought against.
An ongoing process
The Cathedral remains open to further light being shed on its memorials and monuments, the people and events they commemorate, and historic sources of funding. Additional action or interpretation will be a possibility in the light of new information.
If you would like to comment on this report, or to submit relevant information about the Cathedral’s memorials and monuments, please email [email protected]
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