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Secondary sourceArtifact1275

Silver Reliquary from Bruges

1275

A late medieval silver reliquary found in Bruges, showing how the cult of Thomas Becket spread to the Low Countries.

A reliquary connected to Becket's cult, found in Bruges, showing how veneration of him spread beyond England.

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A small grey-metal casket on four feet, with a ribbed, arched roof and two handles on the sides. Standing figures with raised arms are mounted on the top at each end, and a row of small arches runs across the top. The lower front panel has embossed figures and patterns.
Silver reliquary, late Middle Ages. Found in Bruges, collection of Raakvlak.

About this source

What it is

This small silver casket was made in the late Middle Ages and discovered in Bruges. It is held by Raakvlak, a Belgian heritage organisation.

It has a ribbed, arched roof, standing figures with raised arms at each end, and embossed figures on its front panel.

Why it matters

Reliquaries like this were used to hold sacred relics, often connected to saints such as Thomas Becket. Its discovery in Bruges shows that devotion to Becket spread well beyond England, reaching cities across the Low Countries through trade and pilgrimage.

Look closer

  • What do the small standing figures on top of the casket suggest about who or what it honoured?
  • How might a reliquary like this have travelled from England to Bruges?
  • What does its small size suggest about how it was used or carried?

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

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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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