The New Murrey and Blue blog

Pope Alexander III

Laser scans of the Alps and Becket’s murder….

Dec 29, 2022

anniversaries, buildings, religion, Science

Alps, church building, excommunication, glaciers, Henry II, lead smelting, pollution, Pope Alexander III, St. Thomas Becket

What, you might ask, do laser scans of part of the Alps have to do with the murder of Thomas Becket? Well, if you read this article you’ll find out. Lead-smelting and royal conscience-grovelling get a look-in as well. Huh? Well, yes, that was my reaction too, but believe it or not, it seems…
RETURN OF THE TURBULENT PRIEST’S TUNIC

Jun 3, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, buildings, religion

Canterbury Cathedral, Henry II, Henry VI, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Innocent VIII, Knights, Pope Alexander III, saints, Thomas Becket, tunics

In 2020 there are planned commemorations of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. King Henry II blew his top, shouted words to the effects of ‘Who will rid me of this turbulent priest? and four knights clunked off towards Canterbury, thinking the King would reward them well if they disposed of Thomas. The…