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Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
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Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
Becket had been a trusted friend of Henry II, King of England, but they became entangled in a quarrel over the rights of the Church. That dispute ended bitterly in 1170 when a group of Henrys knights, incited by their kings anger at the archbishop, Becket praying before altar of Canterbury Cathedral while three knights approach him from behind, one with his sword and killed him. Ancient painting in Chapel of holy Cross, Stratford. Date: 1170
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Media ID 20158585
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1170 Altar Archbishop Assassinated Assassination Becket Canterbury Chancellor Killed Martyrdom
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This ancient painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, a pivotal figure in English history who met his untimely end in the hallowed grounds of Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Once a trusted friend and chancellor to King Henry II of England, their relationship deteriorated over a dispute regarding the rights of the Church. The quarrel reached its bitter conclusion when a group of the king's knights, incited by Henry's anger towards the archbishop, approached Becket as he prayed before the altar of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Canterbury. In the painting, three knights are shown approaching Becket from behind, with one brandishing a sword. The tragic event that unfolded resulted in the assassination of the beloved archbishop, an act that would forever cement his status as a martyr and a symbol of Church independence in England." "The painting, which dates back to the year of the martyrdom itself, is a poignant reminder of the complex political dynamics that shaped the Middle Ages. It also serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the sacrifices that some were willing to make in its name." "The painting, located in the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Stratford, offers a haunting glimpse into the past and the tumultuous relationship between Church and state during the reign of King Henry II. It is a poignant reminder of the price that some paid for their convictions, and the enduring legacy of Saint Thomas Becket as a martyr and a symbol of religious freedom.
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