St Thomas Becket

ID:

O2153

Production date:

Late Medieval; 14th century

Location:

In Store

Pilgrim badge from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. This badge depicts the mitred head-shaped reliquary bust that held the remains of Becket’s skull. The bust is surrounded by an architectural frame. Archaeological and stylistic evidence suggests that this type of badge was first made around the time of the shrine’s third jubilee, in 1320. Along the base is an inscription: ‘+ S CAPVT THOME’ (meaning ‘Saint Thomas’s head’).  < ...Read more

Pilgrim badge from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. This badge depicts the mitred head-shaped reliquary bust that held the remains of Becket’s skull. The bust is surrounded by an architectural frame. Archaeological and stylistic evidence suggests that this type of badge was first made around the time of the shrine’s third jubilee, in 1320. Along the base is an inscription: ‘+ S CAPVT THOME’ (meaning ‘Saint Thomas’s head’).

Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118. He became a royal official and a great friend of King Henry II. He was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. He argued with King Henry II, and fled to France in 1164. Thomas Becket returned to Canterbury in 1170 and was killed in the cathedral by four knights who thought this would please the king. People were outraged at the murder of an archbishop on holy ground and Becket was made a saint. He became one of the patron saints of London. Many Londoners travelled to Canterbury to pray at the shrine there and bought badges and ampullae (small bottles for holy water) as souvenirs of their pilgrimage. < Hide

Measurements

H 85 mm; W 57 mm

Materials

lead alloy

Last Updated

2024-03-14