Part I: The Miracle Windows: How Light and Beauty Preserved the Mythos of the Becket Miracles
Abstract
Abstract
The darkness of Medieval England during the years AD 1100 to 1300 was not only a physical lack of light, but also a spiritual blackness that weighed heavily over the country due to the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in AD 1170, presumedly from orders of King Henry II. As the murder of the bishop occurred, a near simultaneous record of miracles witnessed by peasants also became a phenomenon, resulting in Becket’s martyrdom and canonization in AD 1173. Through the lens of the pilgrims’ visual perception, this essay will use a case study of a panel of stained glass from Trinity Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral that has recently been established as the earliest known depiction of pilgrims on the road to Canterbury. The importance of this panel is the amount of original medieval stained glass it contains and the scene it depicts, revealing the effect stained glass had on the visual experience of the medieval pilgrim. This essay highlights the dedication of the pilgrims as they made the treacherous journey to contemplate the beauty and light that passed through the stained-glass windows in Trinity Chapel, solidifying the legend of Becket that might have been lost without the narrative stories viewed through these artistic marvels.
Oh friend, this is lovely! I can't wait to read more! <3