 After the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket at the cathedral in 1170 , Canterbury became one of the most notable towns in Europe , as pilgrims from all parts of Christendom came to visit his shrine . This pilgrimage provided the framework for Geoffrey Chaucer 's 14th @-@ century collection of stories , The Canterbury Tales . Canterbury Castle was captured by the French Prince Louis during his 1215 invasion of England , before the death of John caused his English supporters to desert his cause and support the young Henry III . 
