Thomas Becket and London

TL;DR

Thomas Becket's impact on medieval London is explored, including the establishment of London Bridge, the hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark, and the house of St. Thomas of Acre. However, Becket's cult did not flourish greatly in London compared to other saints like St. George and St. Catherine.

Transcript

this evenings lecture is part of our program but it is also a very special event and it's been given us the master said by Professor Carolyn Baron who's emeritus professor of medieval history at Royal Holloway University of London she read history at Somerville College Oxford and studied for her PhD at the University of London she has researched ex... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏘️ Thomas Becket had a lasting impact on medieval London through the establishment of London Bridge, the hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark, and the house of St. Thomas of Acre.
• 🌉 The completion of London Bridge was made possible through the support and offerings attracted by the chapel dedicated to Becket on the bridge.
• 😷 The hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark played a significant role in providing medical services and had a particular focus on maternity care.
• 🏘️ The house of St. Thomas of Acre became a central location for civic and religious activities, housing the Mercer's Company and serving as a place of gathering and celebration.

Questions & Answers

Q: What impact did Thomas Becket's martyrdom have on the completion of London Bridge?

The chapel dedicated to Becket on London Bridge attracted significant offerings and financial support, which helped fund the costly project of building the first stone bridge across the Thames. Without Becket's martyrdom, the completion of the bridge might have taken longer or not been possible at all.

Q: How did the hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark contribute to medieval London?

The hospital, allegedly founded by Becket, served as a place of medical care and had a particular focus on maternity services. It played a role in accommodating activities that the City of London did not want within its walls, such as tanning and prostitution. The hospital's dedication was later changed during the Reformation, but it continued to serve as an important institution in London.

Q: What role did the house of St. Thomas of Acre play in medieval London?

The house housed the Mercer's Company and became a central location for civic and religious activities. It was dedicated to Becket initially but later changed to St. George. The Mercer's Company had a strong association with the hospital and took over its imagery and properties during the Reformation.

Q: How did the cult of Thomas Becket compare to other saints in medieval London?

While Becket had a significant impact on certain aspects of medieval London, his cult did not flourish greatly compared to saints like St. George and St. Catherine. The popularity of other saints and changing religious and political circumstances during the Reformation led to the removal of Becket's images and the decline of his cult in the city.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Thomas Becket, born in London in 1120, had a significant impact on medieval London through the establishment of London Bridge, the hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark, and the house of St. Thomas of Acre.

• Becket's martyrdom and the subsequent outpouring of support led to the successful completion of London Bridge, the first stone bridge across the Thames, and the establishment of the chapel dedicated to Becket on the bridge, which attracted offerings and financial support.

• The hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark, allegedly founded by Becket himself, became a prominent institution in the city, particularly known for its maternity ward and was later surrendered to the crown during the Reformation.

• The house of St. Thomas of Acre, which housed the Mercer's Company, became a central location for civic and religious activities, and its association with Becket led to its dedication being changed to St. George in the 15th century.