Materials for the History of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury (Canonized by Pope Alexander III, AD 1173)

This seven-volume work, published 1875–85, brings together all Latin materials concerning the life and fall of Thomas Becket.

James Craigie Robertson (Edited by)

9781108049283, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 November 2012

526 pages
22.9 x 3 x 15.2 cm, 0.77 kg

A scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, who became canon of Canterbury in 1859, James Craigie Robertson (1813–82) edited for the Rolls Series this seven-volume work, published between 1875 and 1885. Superseding the earlier work of J. A. Giles, it is a collection of contemporary Latin lives and letters relating to the life of Thomas Becket (c.1120–70). Rising through the ranks to become royal chancellor and then archbishop of Canterbury, Becket fell dramatically out of favour with Henry II and, on his return from exile, was famously murdered in the cathedral church at Canterbury. Following his canonisation in 1173, his reputation grew considerably throughout western Christendom. Volume 4 contains two contemporary anonymous lives, one of which is tentatively ascribed to Roger of Pontigny. Also included is the Quadrilogus, a composite narrative comprising the writings of four biographers, including Elias of Evesham.

Introduction
1. Vita Sancti Thomae, Cantuariensis archiepiscopi et martyris, sub Rogerii Pontiniacensis monachi nomine olim edita
2. Vita Sancti Thomae, Cantuariensis archiepiscopi et martyris, auctore anonymo II
3. Excerpta e codice Ms Lansdowniano 398
4. Passio Sancti Thomae auctore anonymo
5. Passio altera
6. Summa causae inter regem et Thomam
7. Causa inter Cantuariensem archiepiscopum et episcopum Londoniensem
8. Excerpta e chronicis etc., ad historiam Thomae Cantuariensis archiepiscopi pertinentia
9. Incipit vita beati Thomae martyris et archiepiscopi Cantuariensis (Quadrilogus)
10 Passio Sancti Thomae Cantuariensis e codice Sublacensi descripta
11. Collation (in part) of William of Canterbury's Miracula S. Thomae Cantuariensis.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]