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Actions Displays	Pilgrimage staff head Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number21754.764 TitlePilgrimage staff head DescriptionThis small, finely detailed sculpture is made of pewter and dates from the 15th century. It is the head of a pilgrim’s staff, commemorating St Thomas of Canterbury - also known as Thomas Becket, or as “that troublesome priest” by King Henry II (according to oral tradition). Medieval society was made up of God-fearing individuals. People believed that prayer, piety and pilgrimage helped to save them from the dreadful abyss of hell. The primary purpose of pilgrimage was to seek out the power that saintly relics were believed to hold. The pilgrim’s staff was an essential piece of equipment, used for support - and handy for defence – while walking the pilgrims’ route. Pilgrims purchased staff heads, pilgrim badges and other souvenirs – treasured mementoes of the journey and a useful source of funds for the shrine itself. This staff head is a very rare and fine example in the image of St Thomas Becket – we can see the detail of robes and mitre; his right hand is raised in a blessing; in his left hand he holds his archbishop’s cross. Thomas Becket was one of the most powerful figures of his time: born the son of a merchant, he worked his way up. He served as royal chancellor to Henry II of England from 1155-1162 and later as Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry and Becket were close friends who argued bitterly about the rights of royal government over the Church. It ended with the brutal murder of Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in December 1170, when four of the king’s knights took his exasperated wish to be rid of Becket quite literally. Production placeEngland Production date 1430 - 1490 Object namestaff MaterialPewter Dimensions Height: 100 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number21754.764

TitlePilgrimage staff head

DescriptionThis small, finely detailed sculpture is made of pewter and dates from the 15th century. It is the head of a pilgrim’s staff, commemorating St Thomas of Canterbury - also known as Thomas Becket, or as “that troublesome priest” by King Henry II (according to oral tradition). Medieval society was made up of God-fearing individuals. People believed that prayer, piety and pilgrimage helped to save them from the dreadful abyss of hell. The primary purpose of pilgrimage was to seek out the power that saintly relics were believed to hold. The pilgrim’s staff was an essential piece of equipment, used for support - and handy for defence – while walking the pilgrims’ route. Pilgrims purchased staff heads, pilgrim badges and other souvenirs – treasured mementoes of the journey and a useful source of funds for the shrine itself. This staff head is a very rare and fine example in the image of St Thomas Becket – we can see the detail of robes and mitre; his right hand is raised in a blessing; in his left hand he holds his archbishop’s cross. Thomas Becket was one of the most powerful figures of his time: born the son of a merchant, he worked his way up. He served as royal chancellor to Henry II of England from 1155-1162 and later as Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry and Becket were close friends who argued bitterly about the rights of royal government over the Church. It ended with the brutal murder of Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in December 1170, when four of the king’s knights took his exasperated wish to be rid of Becket quite literally.

Production placeEngland

Production date 1430 - 1490

Object namestaff

MaterialPewter

Dimensions

Height: 100 mm