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Secondary sourcePaintingc. 1180

Romanesque Wall Paintings of Becket's Consecration, Death and Burial

c. 1180

A cycle of Romanesque frescoes from around 1180 in Terrassa, Spain, depicting scenes from Becket's life including his death.

A fresco cycle made soon after Becket's death, showing his consecration, death and burial and his rapid veneration across Europe.

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Detail of a Romanesque fresco in red, ochre and cream: a haloed figure lies on a bed draped with striped cloth while a standing draped woman-like figure holds a cloth above, with winged haloed angels above and a haloed figure at right bending over the bed.
Romanesque wall paintings of Becket's consecration, death and burial, Santa Maria de Terrassa, c. 1180.

About this source

What it is

This is a Romanesque fresco cycle painted around 1180 on the walls of Santa Maria de Terrassa in Spain. The scenes show episodes from the life of Thomas Becket, including his consecration, death, and burial.

Why it matters

Painted within about a decade of Becket's death, this fresco cycle shows how quickly news of his martyrdom spread across Europe, reaching as far as Spain, and how he was honored as a saint soon after his murder in Canterbury. It reveals the wide religious and political impact of his death.

Look closer

  • What details in the fresco suggest this is a sacred or religious scene rather than an ordinary death?
  • Why might a church in Spain choose to depict an English archbishop so soon after his death?
  • What does the speed of this image's creation tell you about how news and reputation traveled in the medieval world?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Becket on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Primary source

Constitutions of Clarendon

Henry II of England · 1164

Exterior view of Canterbury Cathedral under a clear blue sky. A tall Gothic central tower with pinnacles rises above the stone nave and side chapels, with large pointed windows and a sloping roof visible. Grass lies in the foreground.Artifact

Primary source

Canterbury Cathedral

founded 597

A rectangular gilt copper reliquary casket with blue champlevé enamel, set with oval glass gems along its lid and four feet. Front panels show gilded figures in scenes, including a bishop-like figure at an altar with a chalice, and an upper scene of a tomb or bier with mourners.Artifact

Secondary source

Becket Casket

c. 1180-1190

A large semicircular textile, likely a chasuble, displayed flat in a curved glass case mounted on a white wall. Its faded beige fabric has repeating circular medallions containing small figures and patterns, with a vertical band down the center. Lights run along the top of the case.Artifact

Secondary source

Fermo Chasuble of St. Thomas Becket

12th century

Display case in a museum showing a pale cream silk liturgical robe with gold-embroidered borders on a mannequin, a pair of cream shoes, two long red-edged gold-patterned embroidered bands (stoles or orphreys), and a dark purple garment with gold trim at right.Artifact

Secondary source

Becket Liturgical Garments, Sens Cathedral

12th century

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