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Secondary sourceArtifactearly 13th century

Saint Thomas Becket Window, Sens Cathedral

early 13th century

An early 13th-century stained-glass window at Sens Cathedral depicting Becket's exile, return to England, and murder.

This window from his place of exile depicts Becket's return to England and his murder in Canterbury.

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Large Gothic stained glass window with a pointed arch, filled with multiple circular medallions in blue, red, and gold tones depicting scenes from the life of Saint Thomas Becket, framed by ornamental borders.
Saint Thomas Becket window, bay 23, Sens Cathedral, early 13th century.

About this source

What it is

This stained-glass window in Sens Cathedral, made in the early 13th century by an unknown designer, is made up of thirteen medallions showing scenes from Thomas Becket's life. Becket visited Sens twice during his exile from England.

Why it matters

The window tells the story of Becket's attempted reconciliation with Henry II, his return to England by ship, his welcome at Canterbury Cathedral, and finally his murder and burial. It is one of several such windows in north-west France, showing how closely Becket's story was tied to his years of exile there and how his martyrdom became a subject for religious art soon after his death.

Look closer

  • Why might a cathedral in France, rather than England, choose to depict Becket's story in such detail?
  • What does the order of the scenes — reconciliation, return, murder — tell you about how the story was meant to be understood?
  • How might a stained-glass window shape what ordinary people believed about Becket's life, compared to written accounts?

This artifact 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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Document

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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