Description
South Porch- Left Pillar of Left Portal
East Face-Martyrdoms
1: Martyrdom of Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was a Chancellor of King Henry II of England. The king named him Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Becket soon came to uphold the rights of the church against the state. After a period of exile in France, he was murdered by four of Henry’s knights Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170.
At right, Becket, wearing a mitre, kneels praying in front of an altar with a chalice on it. At left are two knights in chain mail. One is swinging the sword that will cut off the top of Becket’s head.
Above is a depressed arch supported on columns. Note the foliage above.
Subject
Cathédrale de Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church decoration and ornament--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church architecture--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Christian art and symbolism--France--Chartres--Medieval, 500-1500--Pictorial works.
