Inside Story
This elaborate reliquary was made in about 1240 to hold remains. These included some of the bones of Saint Eustace, an early Christian who converted to the faith after seeing a vision of the crucifixion. The shining metal outer covering and wooden inner box did not contain Saint Eustace's whole skull, but held a number of bones, which were said to belong to several different saints.
CHAUCER'S PILGRIMS
In medieval England the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury was the most popular place of pilgrimage. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a long poem called The Canterbury Tales, made up of a series of stories told by a group of pilgrims as they travelled on horseback from London to Canterbury.
The Prioress
The Prioress
Pewter badge of Saint Thomas Becket a m I U Olrf
One of the king's knights slices off Becket's head
BECKET'S BONES
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury in England during the reign of Henry II in the 12th century When Becket fell out with the king, four of Henry's knights murdered him in Canterbury Cathedral. A shrine was soon built in the cathedral, and Becket's remains were kept in this beautiful casket.
Pewter badge of Saint Thomas Becket a m I U Olrf
Scallop-shaped ampulla, or flask, for holy water
Scallop-shaped ampulla, or flask, for holy water
Fragments of bone, wood, and fabric are beautifully displayed
One of the king's knights slices off Becket's head
Fragments of bone, wood, and fabric are beautifully displayed
Cross surrounded by pearls iLc
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