Becket: Pilgrim's Ampulla Of St.

Second Writing Assignment: Pilgrim’s Ampulla of St. Thomas Becket The shrine of St.Thomas á Becket of Canterbury in the Canterbury Cathedral drew large crowds of pilgrims in the twelfth century. Some of these pilgrims were locals, arriving after a day or two of travel, and some were long distance journeyers who came to Canterbury from distant lands. Just as with other holy sites, the shrine’s popularity as a pilgrimage destination led to the manufacture of pilgrimage badges and ampullae. These objects could then be sold to pilgrims who wanted to commemorate their journey. But, as evidence and theory have now shown, these pilgrimage badges and ampullae were more than just commemorative and attractive souvenirs. These objects were imbued with

The ampulla is from the twelfth century, between 1170 and 1200. Although the artist is unknown, it is likely it was made and sold by artisans working out of the workshop in Canterbury Cathedral (Webb, pg. 35). On one side of the ampulla three figures are shown. The middle figured is identified as St. Thomas by his long robes, miter, and crozier. There is also a nimbus carved behind his head, a reference to his saintly status. On either side he is flanked by a knight. This creates symmetry in the design. The knights are identifiable by a cross hatching design that imitates chainmail and by the swords they both bear. In the martyrdom myth, it would be these knights who would then kill St.Thomas. The knights’ swords and feet, as well as St. Thomas’ feet, are connected to a metal arc that encircles the bottom of the ampulla. This is the side of the ampulla that would typically have faced outward if the ampulla was worn around the pilgrim’s neck. This front facing design foreshadows the scene pictured of the back of the

Koopmans discusses that often the water relic was put into ampullae, sealed, and reopened at the bedside of the sick person or simply at the pilgrims home (Koopmans, pg. 556, 557). This is unusual as it forced the pilgrim to bring a sacred substance from the church along with them as they make their return trip home. Typically, the ritual of pilgrimage focuses on the journey to the shrine, but this information suggests the way the rituals of pilgrimage continue once the pilgrim has arrived home. Further, bringing healing water back to a loved one is illustrative of how a pilgrimage taken abroad can reinforce and fulfill social ties and duties at