Pilgrimage and Veneration
The cult of Thomas Becket thrived on pilgrimage, a central religious practice in medieval Christianity. Canterbury became the second most important pilgrimage site in England after Glastonbury and one of the leading pilgrimage destinations in Europe.
Thousands of pilgrims journeyed to Canterbury each year, seeking spiritual benefits such as healing, forgiveness, and miracles attributed to Becket’s intercession. The physical site of his martyrdom and shrine was considered sacred ground, where the divine was believed to be especially present.
Miracles and Hagiography
Stories of miracles performed by Becket’s intercession abounded. These included cures of blindness, leprosy, paralysis, and other illnesses. The monks of Canterbury collected and documented these miracles to promote the saint’s fame and attract more pilgrims.
Various hagiographies (saints’ biographies) were written about Becket, including works by Edward Grim, a contemporary eyewitness, and the monk William FitzStephen. These accounts emphasized Becket’s piety, his struggle against royal tyranny, and the miraculous events surrounding his death and afterlife.
Artistic and Architectural Impact
The cult inspired significant artistic and architectural commissions. Canterbury Cathedral underwent expansion to accommodate pilgrims, and a splendid shrine was constructed over Becket’s tomb. This shrine became a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship, adorned with gold, jewels, and intricate carvings.
Visual depictions of Becket’s life and martyrdom also appeared in stained glass windows, manuscripts, and sculptures throughout England and Europe, reinforcing his status as a model of holiness and resistance to secular authority. shutdown123