Beschreibung:

MEDIEVAL ST THOMAS BECKETT PILGRIM'S BADGE 15th century AD A lead pilgrim badge of St. Thomas Beckett comprising a facing bust with pelleted mitre and locks of hair, ovoid face with lentoid eyes, pelleted mantle to the shoulders; fragment of a flanking angel and frame; in perspex collector's case. 58 grams, 74mm including case, badge: 67mm (3"). Fine condition. [No Reserve] Provenance Found Lincolnshire, UK. Published Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with reference number LIN-D80A35; accompanied by a print out of the PAS report. Literature Cf. Spencer, B. Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, Woodbridge, 2010, item 76a. Footnotes Thomas Beckett was born in around 1120, the son of a prosperous London merchant. He was well educated and quickly became an agent to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him on several missions to Rome. Beckett's talents were noticed by Henry II, who made him his chancellor and the two became close friends. When Theobald died in 1161, Henry made Beckett archbishop. Hetransformed himself from a pleasure-loving courtier into a serious, simply-dressed cleric. The king and his archbishop's friendship was put under strain when it became clear that Becket would now stand up for the church in its disagreements with the king. In 1164, realising the extent of Henry's displeasure, Beckett fled into exile in France, and remained in exile for several years. He returned in 1170. On the 29 December 1170, four knights, believing the king wanted Beckett out of the way, confronted and murdered him in Canterbury Cathedral. Beckett was canonised in 1173 and his shrine in Canterbury Cathedral became an important focus for pilgrimage.