St Thomas Becket

Ampullae are small containers used by pilgrims to collect holy water at places of pilgrimage. This ampulla from Canterbury held holy water mixed with a minute amount of the blood of St Thomas Becket. Even when diluted, the blood was believed to have miraculous powers. It was thought to cure virtually all diseases and in certain cases to have the power to bring the dead back to life. This ampulla bears the figure of St Thomas on one side. An inscription reads 'OPTIMUS EGRORUM MEDICUS FIT TOMA BONORUM' ('Thomas is the best doctor of the worthy sick'). The reverse has a depiction of his body on a bier with two priests attending, one holding an open book and crosier. Above them are two angels, one with a sword and one with a cross.

Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118. He became a royal official and a great friend of King Henry II. He was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. He argued with King Henry II, and fled to France in 1164. Thomas Becket returned to Canterbury in 1170 and was killed in the cathedral by four knights who thought this would please the King. People were outraged at the murder of an archbishop on holy ground and Becket was made a saint. He became one of the patron saints of London. Many Londoners travelled to Canterbury to pray at the shrine there and bought badges and ampullae as souvenirs of their pilgrimage.