Today, 21 December, is the birthday of Thomas the Beckett.
In 1973 this resin statue of Thomas the Becket (1118-1170)
by Bainbridge Copnall was erected outside of St Paul's Cathedral. The
Archbishop is shown falling on the steps in Canterbury Cathedral after being
slain by the knights who misunderstood the intent of King Henry II when he
complained “will no one rid me of this turbulent priest.” Although a contemporary biographer claims
the king said, “what miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought
up in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt
by a low-born cleric.” The first one
sounds better!
Becket was born just a few blocks away from here on
Cheapside.
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