Thomas Becket – Murder and the making of a saint

British Museum

Location

British Museum
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG

Description

This exhibition has now closed

This exhibition runs from Thursday 20th May 2021 to Sunday 22nd August 2021.

Discover the murder that shook the Middle Ages in this dramatic exhibition about the life, death and legacy of Thomas Becket.

On 29 December 1170, Becket was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights with close ties to King Henry II, an act that left Medieval Europe reeling. Becket was one of the most powerful figures of his time, serving as royal chancellor and later as Archbishop of Canterbury. Initially a close friend of Henry, the two men became engaged in a bitter dispute that culminated in his violent and public death - an event that sent shockwaves across Europe and caused an immense political fallout.

Marking the 850th anniversary of his brutal murder, this special exhibition presents Becket's tumultuous journey from a merchant's son to an archbishop, and from a revered saint in death to a 'traitor' in the eyes of Henry VIII more than 350 years later.

Get up close to the man, the murder and the legend through an incredible array of objects associated with Becket; from illuminated manuscripts, some of which include eyewitness accounts of the murder, to jewellery and sacred reliquaries. The exhibition features objects from the British Museum collection as well as important loans from major collections across the UK and Europe, including an entire medieval stained glass window on loan for the first time from Canterbury Cathedral.

Prices

Standard Ticket: £17

Contact and Booking Details

More information at this website.

Reserve tickets at this website

Upcoming Dates

This exhibition runs from Thursday 20th May 2021 to Sunday 22nd August 2021.

Forthcoming dates:

Disclaimer

The information and prices in this listing are presumed to be correct at the time of publishing, but please always check with the venue before making a special trip.

All images are supplied by the exhibition organiser.

British Museum
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG

Map

This exhibition runs from Thursday 20th May 2021 to Sunday 22nd August 2021.

This event runs over several days/weeks. Dates include:

May 2021

June 2021

July 2021

August 2021