Life of Thomas Becket (Sens Cathedral)
The stained glass window with the theme of the life of Thomas Becket in the cathedral of Sens , a French town in the Yonne department , was created by an unknown master in the early 13th century. The five meter high and two meter wide window is protected as a monument historique .
history
Thomas Becket was in Sens twice : in 1164 when he was Pope Alexander III. and in 1170, before returning to Canterbury from exile in France . In the same year he was murdered there in the cathedral.
description
The window with the number 23 (according to the scheme of Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi ) is located on the north side of the ambulatory as the first window seen from the nave. It depicts scenes from the life of Thomas Becket (1118–1170), Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. In north-west France there are about ten churches stained glass windows depicting Thomas Becket.
A total of 13 medallions can be seen, divided into two four medallions, each with a fifth in the middle in the shape of a cross. Above that, the two upper medallions complete the story. In the top center the blessing Christ is shown. In medieval windows is displayed from bottom to top.
At the bottom left you can see the attempt at reconciliation between the English King Henry II and Thomas Becket (see also The Conflict with Thomas Becket ). At the bottom right Thomas Becket is returning to England by ship. In the middle, Thomas Becket and his companion on horseback reached the gates of Canterbury. Above to the left, Thomas Becket is received by monks in front of Canterbury Cathedral. He also preaches to the people.
The five medallions in the middle: Thomas Becket receives a message from the King of England (bottom left). Thomas Becket celebrates mass in Canterbury Cathedral (bottom right).
The king's messengers come to Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket baptizes a child
Thomas Becket dedicates a church
Assassination and body of Thomas Becket:
Eleventh medallion (top right): Assassination of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral by knights .
Twelfth medallion (top left): Thomas Becket's body lies in a sarcophagus .
literature
- Bernard Brousse, Claire Pernuit, Françoise Perrot: Les vitraux de la cathédrale de Sens. Merveilles du XIIIe aux XIXe siècle . Éditions À PROPOS, Garches 2013, ISBN 9782915398120 , pp. 46–53.
Web links
Coordinates: 48 ° 11 '53.2 " N , 3 ° 17' 3.3" E