English Gothic architecture flourished in England from approximately 1180 to 1520. This style is defined by pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires.The Gothic style was introduced from France, where the various elements had first been used togetherwithin a single building at the choir of the Basilique Saint-Denis north of Paris, built by Abbot Suger and dedicated in June 1144.

Many of the largest and finest works of English architecture, notably the medieval cathedrals of England, are largely built in the Gothic style. The earliest large-scale applications of Gothic architecture in England are atCanterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Castles, palaces, great houses, universities, parish churches, and many smaller unpretentious secular buildings, includingalmshouses and trade halls, were also built in this style.

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian

churches in England and it continues to play a central role

in English Christianity. Originally founded in 602 AD by St.

Augustine, it still functions as the cathedral of the

Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the worldwide

Anglican Communion.Canterbury was an important

spiritual center ever since Augustine, but it became a major

pilgrimage destination after the martyrdom of St. Thomas

Becket in 1170 (familiar to most as the subject of Geoffrey

Chaucer's humorous Canterbury Tales).

The choir consists of 12 lay clerks –

professional singers who also work locally –

and 25 choristers, boys between 8 and 13

years old. Each year in November, Dr Flood

chooses five or six new choristers to replace

those who leave, auditioning them from the

many who apply.

He looks for “an acute ear, the makings of a

voice, intelligence and a sparkle in the eye.”