Saint Thomas Becket Exhibition – Canterbury

A major exhibition in the context of Becket’s story, Canterbury pilgrimage and health & wellbeing. 2020 marked the 900th anniversary of Thomas Becket's birth, 850th of his death, and 800th of moving Becket's relics to a new tomb and chapel in Canterbury Cathedral. Miracles after Becket’s murder, recorded in stained glass, led to Europe-wide spread of relics and images, making Becket a world ‘celebrity’.

As well as presenting this story, displays will explore Becket’s fame as a symbol of conflict between Church and state, conscience and duty. Photographs, designs and cartoons will feature portrayals in theatre and film from Henry Irving to Richard Burton, and writers including Tennyson and Eliot creating Becket’s enduring legacy as a rebel.

The exhibition will be part of a programme of events developed by partners from across the UK and a platform to commemorate the remarkable life and death of Thomas Becket. The exhibition showcases loans from The British Museum, The Arts Council Collection, University of Kent, Canterbury Cathedral and Canterbury Museums & Gallery