The quest for Becket's bones : the mystery of the relics of St Thomas Becket of Canterbury
1995, First Edition. New Haven : Yale University Press. Fine cloth copy in an equally fine dw. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered.; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 180 pages; Description: xii, 180 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 170-175) and index. Subjects: Thomas, a Becket, Saint, 1118?-1170 --Tomb. Canterbury Cathedral --History. Christian saints --England --Canterbury. Relics --England --Canterbury --History. Canterbury (England) --Church history. Summary: In January 1888, workmen excavating the eastern crypt of Canterbury Cathedral uncovered the ancient bones of a tall, middle-aged man whose skull had seemingly been cleft by a sword. Could these be the remains of St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered inthe Cathedral in December 1170 by knights of King Henry II? This fascinating book recounts the story of the quest for St Thomas Becket's bones over eight centuries, and includes startling new evidence that has only recently come to light. An intriguing story of politics, science, religion, conjecture and romanticism, it explores the mystery of the survival of Catholic England's most precious relics, and presents a telling hypothesis as to their fate. Item #173998
ISBN: 0300061153
Price: €18.95