IMC 2007: Sessions

Session 609: Thomas Becket, II: The Promotion and Diffusion of the Cult of St Thomas

Organiser:	Marie-Pierre Gelin, Department of History, University College London
Moderator/Chair:	Michael Staunton, School of History, University College Dublin
Paper 609-a	The Lives of Thomas Becket and Early Literature in Medieval Scandinavia (Language: English) Haki Antonsson, Centre for Medieval Studies, Universitetet i Bergen Index terms: Hagiography, Language and Literature - Scandinavian
Paper 609-b	Heroes and Traitors: The Life of St Thomas in French Stained Glass Windows (Language: English) Marie-Pierre Gelin, Department of History, University College London Index terms: Art History - General, Hagiography, Liturgy
Paper 609-c	Herod and Henry II: Visualizing Evil in the Leaves of the Life of St Thomas Becket (Language: English) Sara Lutan, Department of Art History, Tel Aviv University Index terms: Art History - General, Hagiography
Abstract	The second session will turn to the presentation of the figure of Saint Thomas and of his cause in hagiographic texts and images. Very soon after the murder and canonisation of the archbishop, both sides of the quarrel can be found presented in various cultic and devotional contexts. The biblical and hagiographical models used to shape and promote the cult of St Thomas will be of particular interest, as will the ways in which hagiographical narratives could intersect with contemporary political debates.