Secondary sourceSculpture

Stone Statue of Thomas Becket from Sens Cathedral

A medieval stone statue of Becket from Sens Cathedral in France, where he lived in exile; now in the museum of Sens.

This statue, from Becket's place of exile, shows how he was venerated as a saint after his death.

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Photograph of a carved stone sculpture of a seated bishop wearing a mitre, with a halo, a long vestment, and a cloak, set on a stone base over a red velvet cloth. Architectural canopy with small towers rises behind the figure. Red and gold patterned wall behind. — Statue of Thomas Becket, originally from Sens Cathedral. Museum of Sens, France. Photograph by Paul Hermans.

About this source

What it is

This is a carved stone statue showing a seated bishop wearing a mitre and a long vestment, with a halo marking him as a saint. It originally stood in Sens Cathedral and is now kept in the Museum of Sens, France. The photograph was taken by Paul Hermans.

Why it matters

Sens was the centre of Thomas Becket's exile from England, and the cathedral there became linked to his memory after he was declared a saint. The statue shows how, soon after his death, Becket was honoured not only in England but also in the French city that had sheltered him.

Look closer

What details mark this figure out as a bishop and a saint?
Why might a French cathedral choose to honour an English archbishop?
What does the survival of this statue tell us about how people in the Middle Ages remembered holy figures?

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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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