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The Construction and Destruction of a Saint: Thomas Becket
May 25, 2021 @ 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
This discussion explores the meteoric canonisation of Thomas Becket, his subsequent veneration and the destruction of his reputation during the Reformation of the Tudor period.
Join renowned historian of Christianity, Reverend Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch (University of Oxford), for a conversation with distinguished medievalist, Professor Nicholas Vincent (University of East Anglia). Both are Fellows of the British Academy. This lecture is hosted by the British Museum in conjunction with their exhibition ‘Thomas Becket: murder and the making of a saint’, on view from 20th May to 22nd August 2021.
The discussion is chaired by Dr Emily Guerry, Co-Director at the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Kent.
Register for free here.
About the Lecturers:
Reverend Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch Kt, FBA is Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University. Well known for his television work, he wrote the acclaimed History of Christianity: the first three thousand years and presented the related BBC TV series in 2009. In 2012, he wrote and presented How God Made the English for BBC Two. MacCulloch has written widely on English statesman Thomas Cromwell and the Reformation.
Professor Nicholas Vincent FBA is Professor of Medieval History at the University of East Anglia. The author of many books, including Brief History of Britain 1066–1485, last year he published a six-volume edition of The Letters and Charters of Henry II, documenting Becket’s former patron and subsequent nemesis. His study of Becket’s Murderers won the 2005 William Urry Prize.
Dr Emily Guerry is Senior Lecturer in Medieval European History and Co-Director of the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury.
This event is presented in partnership with the British Academy.
