Why medieval Christians were obsessed with the blood of Saint Thomas of Canterbury
In short: Curator Lloyd de Beer explores the gruesome and evolving cult of Thomas Becket. This video examines the medieval fascination with blood, including accounts of self-filling vessels and the unconventional methods used to acquire holy relics.
The cult surrounding Thomas Becket, also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, reveals a complex and often visceral side of medieval Christianity. Far from modern expectations, this religious movement centered on the physical remains and blood of the saint.
The video highlights the strange practices associated with this devotion, such as the belief in self-filling jars of blood and the various, sometimes illicit, ways followers sought to obtain these relics. It offers a look into how medieval believers interacted with the sacred through tangible, bodily evidence.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Blood Drinking Cult of Thomas Becket | Curator's Corner S6 Ep6 #CuratorsCorner
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