Son of a London merchant~OG of all chancellors and archbishops~Best mate of Henry II until we disagreed about “benefit of clergy”. (1118-1170) RP account only
† Murdered by impious knights
† Canonized in 1173
† Muse of of Geoffrey Chaucer
† Tourist attraction for four
centuries till Henry VIII despoiled my bones
† Someone remove this fecking sword from my head!
#RP Account
† Not a real saint, but RT to irk Henry II
This is where Jesus is said to have been buried — and then resurrected.
But is it the real tomb? How do we know?
Well, in 2016 it was opened for the first time in centuries... (thread) 🧵
OTD in 1170, four knights, believing that Henry II wanted Thomas Becket out of the way, murdered the archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral.
Becket was made a saint in 1173 and his shrine became a pilgrimage destination for centuries to come. #History ✝️⚔️
On this day in 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered at the Cathedral by four knights, sent by King Henry II.
Join us this evening at 5.30pm, for our Memorial Service for the Martyrdom of St Thomas.
Find out more: https://t.co/b15uXb0PaF
Join us for Midnight Mass this evening at 11pm
This traditional nighttime service ends at midnight, marking the dawn of Christmas Day.
Find out more: https://t.co/DYPpRXU7dn
Fair Rosamund (1917) by John William Waterhouse (English artist, lived 1849–1917). Rosamond was mistress of Henry II of England - and possibly poisoned by Queen Eleanor. #PreRaphaelite style.
In memory of Pope Benedict, the Cathedral flag will fly at half-mast today, & St Dunstan’s Bell will toll at noon.
We join with all those who mourn his passing, thankful through his papacy for renewed friendship & shared endeavour undertaken jointly in the name of Jesus
The martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket as depicted in the superb film, 'Becket'. The film features two actors at the top of their craft: Richard Burton as Becket and Peter O'Toole as Henry II.
https://t.co/wasLHnODqW
28 Dec 1470: All pilgrims who visit St Thomas Becket's shrine #otd on the 300th anniversary (29th) are granted a plenary indulgence under terms of a Bull issued by Pope Paul II the previous June.
68 years later the tomb would be destroyed..