There was a huge public reaction to Thomas’s death. Pilgrims began to arrive at Canterbury Cathedral from across Europe and King Henry II received many high-status visitors.
Henry invested in Dover Castle, creating the great tower keep as a fitting venue, suitable for important travellers on their way to Canterbury, and making it truly ‘fit for a king'.
Sometime after his death, Thomas was attributed a coat of arms featuring three choughs, which first appears about 100 years later in Canterbury Cathedral, and, in the 14th century, the City of Canterbury adopted a coat of arms with three choughs and a royal lion. But no one really knows why the chough became associated with Thomas, other than the legend of the blooded crow. Whatever its origin, the chough has a long history in heraldry in glass, sculpture, coats of arms, flags, and even pub signs!
How many chough symbols can you find near you? Let us know at [email protected]
Rob Smith takes this episode of Talk on the Wild Side to Dover where he visits the incredible Liz Corry who has seen the project through from the hatching of the chough chicks to watching them fly over Dover Castle.
Jenny Luddington, Community Organising Assistant and Jade Williams, Community Organising Officer share their experiences organising the Connect, Share, Celebrate event in Dover.
As the UK races to decarbonise its energy sector, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The shift to renewable energy is vital in combating climate change, but without careful planning, it risks unintended harm to the very ecosystems that sustain us. How do we…
In this guest blog from the Rescue Hoad's Wood Campaign, the author highlights the threat to the River Beult SSSI posed by plans to discharge 1,000 cubic metres of treated sewage daily—a consequence of the Chilmington Green housing project.
At Kent Wildlife Trust, our volunteers are one of our most precious resources in the journey to create a #WilderKent. Without their passion, dedication, and tireless efforts, so much of what we achieve wouldn’t be possible.
