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Secondary sourcePainting1401 (manuscript probably c. 1390)

St. Thomas of Canterbury

1401 (manuscript probably c. 1390)

A book of hours illumination showing the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, with knights approaching him at the altar.

Depicts the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, showing how he was remembered as a martyr saint in private devotion over two centuries later.

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Painted manuscript miniature: a haloed bishop in blue and white vestments stands at an altar with a gold chalice, while armed knights in blue and tan tunics and helmets approach from the left. A checkered green floor and arched windows fill the church interior.
St. Thomas of Canterbury, illumination from a Book of Hours, 1401. National Library of Wales.

About this source

What it is

This is a painted miniature from a Book of Hours, a private prayer book, probably made around 1390/1401 for an English family. It is held by the National Library of Wales.

The image shows a haloed bishop in vestments at an altar, approached by armed knights with raised swords.

Why it matters

The scene depicts the killing of Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, inside his own cathedral. It shows how, over two centuries later, Becket was still remembered and venerated as a martyr saint, and how his story was used to teach private devotion to medieval readers.

Look closer

  • Why might the artist choose to show the knights with swords already raised?
  • What does the setting (altar, chalice, church interior) tell you about how Becket's death was understood?
  • Whose prayer book would have included this image, and why?

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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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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