An Annotated Bibliography of Printed and Online Primary Sources for the Middle Ages
Staunton, Michael, ed., trans, The Lives of Thomas Becket (Manchester: Manchester UP, 2001).
Text name(s):
Number of pages of primary source text: 206
Medieval Author(s): Alan of Tewkesbury Benedict Fitzstephen, William Grimm, Edward Guernes of Pont-Sainte-Maxence Herbert of Bosham John of Salisbury William the Englishman
Dates: 1118 - 1174
Archival Reference:
Original Language(s): Latin;
Translation: English translation.
Translation Comments:
Geopolitical Region(s): England;
County/Region: Canterbury
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Record Type(s): Chronicle, Annals Hagiography |
Subject Heading(s): Architecture and Buildings Clergy - Monks, Nuns, Friars Clergy - Priests, Bishops, Canons Historiography Nobility / Gentry Royalty / Monarchs Saints - Cults / Relics Travel / Pilgrimage |
Apparatus: Index Bibliography Introduction
Comments:
Thomas Becket was elevated to the archbishopric in 1162 by his then-friend, Henry II of England. After his consecration, however, he came increasingly into conflict with the king, eventually fleeing England for France in 1164. He returned to England in 1170 and was shortly thereafter assassinated. His life produced a cult following nearly immediately after his death, and he became one of the most popular saints in Christendom.This volume contains excerpts from a number of the existing Lives (by John of Salisbury. William Fitzstephen, Herbert of Bosham, Edward Grim, William of Canterbury, Benedict of Peterborough, Garnier of Pont-Sainte-Mazence, and Alan of Tewkesbury) of the martyred archbishop of Canterbury, which are strung together chronologically by the editor to form one cohesive narrative.
Introduction Summary:
In his brief (40 pp) introduction, the editor provides brief descriptions of each of the authors he uses, noting their strengths and weaknesses as sources, and the numbered passages which are theirs in the volume. The editor also provides a brief summary of Beckets life as narrated by his biographers and hagiographers, providing political, ecclesiastical, and historical context.
Cataloger: MCB