Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint

Name: Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint
Brand: Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd
SKU: 9780714128382
Price: 85.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Lloyd de Beer and Naomi Speakman

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4.53

( 17 ratings, 2 reviews)

Summary

Thomas Becket: Murder and the Making of a Saint by Lloyd de Beer and Naomi Speakman explores the dramatic life and legacy of Thomas Becket, an influential figure in the 12th century. The book delves into his ascent to Archbishop of Canterbury, his conflicts with King Henry II, and the political and religious turmoil of the time. It examines how Becket's murder led to his martyrdom and subsequent sainthood, highlighting the deep impact he had on both the church and medieval society.
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Format: Hardback

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Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint

$85⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by medieval history and the dramatic events surrounding Thomas Becket's murder, which had profound implications on the church and state dynamics in England. The book may appeal to those interested in exploring how Becket's martyrdom contributed to his sainthood and had lasting cultural and religious impacts.

Marking the 850th anniversary of his dramatic murder, this major exhibition and book presents Becket's tumultuous journey from a London merchant's son to Archbishop, and from a revered saint in death to a 'traitor' in the eyes of Henry VIII over 350 years later.

Description

Praise for the exhibition

* The Times
* The Telegraph
* The Guardian
* Evening Standard

Praise for the book

'If you cannot make it to the show itself, then I implore you to buy the catalogue, which is one of the best I've ever read - scholarly and entertaining, a good history book in its own right.' - Tim Stanley, The Telegraph

'A marvellous and consistently enthralling account' - Christopher de Hamel, bestselling author of The Book in the Cathedral

[The book] provides an up-to-date, highly readable and lavishly illustrated text that will finally supplant Borenius's book as the definitive account of the art of Thomas Becket" - Dr Tom Nickson, Arts Journal

The murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on 29 December 1170 sent shockwaves across medieval Europe. He rose from ordinary beginnings in London to become chancellor to King Henry II and then Archbishop of Canterbury, making him one of the most powerful men in England. Becket's fortunes changed when a bitter dispute with Henry forced him into a six-year exile. Less than a month after his return to England, he was killed by four knights with close ties to the king. In the wake of Becket's death, hundreds of miracles were attributed to him and, just over two years later, he was canonised. All across Europe, he was celebrated as a defender of the Church against royal tyranny.

Lloyd de Beer and Naomi Speakman tell the story of Becket's dramatic life, death and legacy through a stunning array of objects, including medieval stained glass, manuscripts, jewellery and sacred reliquaries. They reveal Canterbury Cathedral's transformation into one of Europe's most popular pilgrimage destinations. Over the centuries, pilgrims visited Becket's shrine in their thousands, a journey famously reimagined by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales.

A dedicated section by Rachel Koopmans, which features groundbreaking new research, delves deeper into Becket's miracle stories through the lens of one of the stained-glass miracle windows from the cathedral. The cult of Thomas Becket endured in spite of the English Reformation, during which his shrine at Canterbury was dramatically destroyed and his image and name outlawed. From twelfth-century London to the Tudor court, this magnificent book takes you through the twists and turns of one of the most remarkable stories of the Middle Ages.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Thomas Becket: Murder and the Making of a Saint by Lloyd de Beer and Naomi Speakman is generally appreciated for providing a well-researched exploration of the events surrounding Becket's murder and his eventual canonisation. Reviewers praise its insightful analysis and engaging narrative, noting how it sheds light on the interplay between politics and spirituality in medieval times. The book is seen as both an informative and compelling read for those interested in historical religion and spirituality.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780714128382

Publisher: British Museum Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: British Museum Press

Illustration: 200 Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 220.0mm

Height: 250.0mm

Weight: 1410g

Pages: 272

Collections

Arts & Culture European History History & Archaeology History & Military Lloyd de Beer Naomi Speakman Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

Lloyd de Beer is Ferguson Curator of Medieval Britain and Europe at the British Museum and co-curator of the exhibition Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint.

Naomi Speakman is Curator of Late Medieval Europe at the British Museum and co-curator of the exhibition Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint.