The Dover Straits earthquake occurred on 21 May 1382 and had an estimated magnitude of 6.0. The earthquake caused widespread damage in south-eastern England and in the Low Countries.

In England, the most severe damage was recorded in Canterbury, particularly to St Augustine’s Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, where the campanile (free-standing bell-tower) was destroyed.  The earthquake also damaged the Cloister, the Infirmary Chapel and the North-West/Martyrdom Transept, which had to be re-roofed in 1383/85. While repairs to the earthquake damage were being carried out, all building work on the new Nave came to a halt.

The earthquake interrupted the synod convened by Abp. William Courtenay, in part to examine the religious writings of John Wycliffe (condemned as a heretic by the Church Establishment), which became known as the “Earthquake Synod”.

Wikipedia