Shall I compare thee to a "Reliquary Casket with Scenes from the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket"? Thou art more lovely and more temperate

During 1000-1400 A.D. in Great Britain and Ireland, there were political conflicts between them centered on the Scandinavian presence and links to Normandy. At the Battle of Hastings the Normans defeated the English and became the new rulers of the English Mainland. The marriages between English rulers and great Norman families created strong, long-term connections. Art and architecture in England, with the arrival of the Normans, reflects French influence. Cathedrals such as those in

Durham, Canterbury, Ely, Wells, and Lincoln were erected. 

Christians believed in the power of relics. Relics are the physical remains of a holy site or holy person. They were important because Christian believed in afterlife and resurrection, the power of the soul, and saints as advocates for humankind in heaven. The holiest relics were associated with Christ and his mother. The possessors of relics were bestowed honor and privileges so many monasteries and cathedrals sought them out. Reliquaries stored and displayed relics and were often made out of gold, silver, ivory, gems, and enamel. They were often covered with narrative scenes from the life of saints.

This is the Reliquary Casket with Scenes from the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
It was created circa 1173-80 and is either English or German
It's made of silver with niello and a gemstone; 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 3/4 in
It was created to contain a relic of the martyred saint Thomas Becket
"The long sides of the reliquary display a brief narrative of the saint's martyrdom. On one side, the lower rectangular panel shows the four knights assaulting Thomas, while on the triangular lid above, an angel makes a sign of blessing over the event. On the other side, the lower panel shows Thomas' body lying in state, while above, an angel cradles a small child, the symbol of the saint's soul as it rises to heaven" (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

According to the Met there is an inscription: INTUS SANGUIS EST SANCTE TOME SANCTUS TOMAS ACCIDITUR
[Translation]: Within is the blood of St. Thomas, and St. Thomas is killed

The Reliquary by Me

Computer paper size

pencil on paper

November 2015

Becket was born in Normandy to an English family and quickly found his way up the ladder in the house of Theobold. He became the archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. He and King Henry II were friends and King Henry thought that meant he would have control over religious institutions. He was wrong because Becket stood against the crown and reserved the rights of the church instead of allowing King Henry to change them for his own gain. King Henry was angry at Becket for refusing to absolve some excommunicated bishops so he sent for a group of knights to murder him. 

This reliquary focuses mainly on the martyrdom in Becket's life. This enables those viewing the reliquary to know exactly what his importance as a saint is. The message is still the same today even in a modern setting. This reliquary illustrates this story and shows Becket as a good guy that was taken to heaven by angels. Becket's facial expression is serious while the knights look bellicose. It is kind of interesting that from Canterbury Tales, knights were seen as very respectable and esteemed but here it looks like they are just doing the King's dirty work. It was most likely made by followers of the church by the depiction of angels blessing the scene and Becket being seen as a martyr rather than a traitor to the king. Also, because reliquaries held very valuable items from saints that were thought of as spiritual connections between life and death, the box itself is made to be very decorous and appropriate for housing such value.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/relc/hd_relc.htm

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/becket.htm

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/17.190.520