General Index

Abingdon, abbey of 283–4, 308–9, 339–40

abscesses 121, 147–9, 199–200, 238–9

accidents

ear of rye ingested 251–2

stone falls in ear 245

wall falls on infant 290–1, 341–2

worker buried 299–30, 346–8

see also drowning; sea travel; suffocation

Ada, inhabitant of London 161

Adam de Hadlega 154–5

Aeliza, wife of Alan of Ratling 197, 304

Agnes, inhabitant of Canterbury 122–3

Agnes, inhabitant of Cornwall, widow of William 286

Ailmer, inhabitant of Canterbury 173

Ailred, sailor from Exeter 257

Ailwin, sailor from Bristol 256

Albert, papal legate 20–2, 51

Albinus, abbot of Darley 26, 235–6, 305

Albreda, wife of Eustace of Malling 172–3

alcohol and drunkenness 65, 114, 222, 275, 291–2, 336, 344

acting as if drunk 285

Aldida, inhabitant of Staffordshire 211

Alditha, inhabitant of Worth 102

ale-making, miracle involving 291–2

Alelm, reveler at St. Omer 242

Alexander III, pope (1159-1181) 2, 20–2, 46, 50–1, 63–4, 78–80, 100

canonization of Becket 2, 20–2, 47, 50–1, 227

excommunications 60, 63–4, 100 n.52, 305, 314–16

legates of 20–2, 47, 51

papal schism 21, 51, 78–80

relationship with Henry II 21, 47

Alexander, son of Hugh de Bodebi, knight 29, 287, 310

Aliza, wife of the fisherman Martin of Leicester 250

Aliza of Northampton, wife of the tanner Roger 213–14

alms, given to the poor 72, 102, 160, 178, 227, 251, 253–5

Alvida, daughter of Edith 188

Amalric, from region of Thérouanne and Ponthieu 245–6

ampullas 103–5, 105–6, 181–2, 182–3, 183, 233, 235–8, 280, 289, 291

manufacture of 182

string holding ampulla effects miracle 291

see also Becket, blood of; water relic

anchors, miracles involving 257–8, 330

Anfrid of Ferring, knight 241–2, 305

animals

barking dogs silenced 266

hawk returned 202

horse’s eye healed 190–1

worms expelled 122–3, 153

Anselm, monk of Reading 338–9

Anselm, priest of St. Swithuns, London 156–7, 338–40

Ansfreda, daughter of Hubert of Canterbury 152

Ansfrid, son of Edwin of Dover 135–6

aqueduct construction 299–301, 346

arm pain 94–5, 119, 127–8, 152, 160, 259

Augustine, monk of Reading 290, 340

Avisa of Goshall, daughter of Ordgar the skinner 176–7

Aziria, wife of knight William of Earley 149–50, 306

Baldwin of Forde, archbishop of Canterbury 58

Baldwin, inhabitant of Parndon 234–5

Bartholomew, bishop of Exeter 84, 306

baths, at city of Bath 281–2, 339

Beatrice, daughter of William of Ramsholt 1, 198–9

Beatrice, pauper of Woodstock 24–5, 186–7

Becket, Gilbert, father of St. Thomas Becket 7–8, 258

Becket, Thomas, St., archbishop of Canterbury

as archbishop of Canterbury 8–11

as provost of Beverley 142, 324

blood of 12–13, 16–18, 49, 56–7, 70–3, 76, 78, 85, 96–7, 102–8, 114–15, 118, 120–1, 123, 135, 144, 162, 173, 179, 194, 235–8, 248, 250, 252, 262, 274, 280–2, 294, 297, 299, 332, 344, 347

collected from martyrdom site 72

cloth stained with 72, 96, 103, 114–15, 281

miracles of multiplication or disappearance 102–6

mixed with water (beginning of practice) 16–18, 96–7, 107

pilgrims anointed with 108–9, 115, 118, 120, 144, 162, 194, 250, 281

seen in visions 50, 178–9, 252, 262

sent to St. John’s Abbey, Colchester 104–5

track of on face after martyrdom 12, 72, 252, 262

see also water relic

body of 12–13, 70–3, 116, 130–4, 175, 234–5, 266

hammer and axe found underneath 72

temporary translation of 130–3

threats to carry off or destroy 73, 130–1, 133

track of blood on face 12, 72, 252, 262

brains of 56, 70, 85 n.8

burial of 13, 15, 73

canonization of 2, 20, 21–2, 47, 50–1, 227 n.9

clothing of 8, 57, 72–4, 85, 100, 105–6, 138, 152

belt, worn during martyrdom 22, 138

cloak, worn during martyrdom 70, 72–3, 100, 105–6

given to the poor after martyrdom 13, 72, 105–6, 152

glove 203

hairshirt 13, 73–4, 191, 204, 208, 242–3, 294–5, 344–5

outer garment, worn during martyrdom 72–3, 152

shirt 57

slipper 139

stole 152

surplice 57

vestments 73, 83, 150, 191, 252

compared to Abel (biblical figure) 84–5

compared to the apostles 87–8, 168, 346

compared to Christ 11–12, 17, 37–40, 45–6, 48–9, 59, 70–2, 93, 97, 168–70, 238, 274, 280

compared to St Martin of Tours 170, 266

confrontation with knights in archbishop’s palace 60–7

cult of

Becket as doctor of the sick 153, 154, 182, 201, 248

Becket better than other saints and martyrs 80, 87–8, 232

Becket seen walking on water 256–7, 329

period of persecution 14–18, 83–4, 92, 97, 100, 102, 141, 169–70

slow beginning, “first days of miracles” 14–18, 46, 90, 179, 181, 208

see also ampullas; Becket, blood of; Becket, clothing of; Becket, tomb of; glass vessels; candles; coins; confession of sins; crosses; invocation of Becket’s name; measurement; miracles; pilgrimage to Canterbury; pyxes; offerings; water relic

death of 10–13, 67–71, 74–5, 169

dispute with Henry II 8–9, 14, 37, 61–7, 224 n.6

dust of bed, in London, drunk with water 151

early life 7–8

enemies of 25, 61, 69–70, 97, 100, 104, 130–1, 133, 141, 169, 177, 208–9, 228

exile of 9, 10, 13, 69, 98, 105, 159, 208, 345

foreknowledge of death 69, 74

ill in Kent at house of Turstan of Croydon 275, 336

liturgical Office of 4, 51–5, 85 n.8, 89 n.21, 91 n.26, 172 n.14, 222 n.3, 237 n.32

murder of, see death of

relationship with Christ Church monks 8–9

tomb of 15–16, 90, 95, 130, 133–5

altar next to 180

candles on 168–9

confession before approaching 175; see confession of sins

construction of 15–16, 130, 133–5

crack in 282

monks sitting or observing at 101, 169, 174–5, 180–1, 256, 267

night-time vigils at 96, 121, 130, 143, 185–7

openings in 133–5

pilgrims allowed access to 15–16, 90, 116–17

pilgrims sleeping or resting head on 121–2, 249

Bedford, Augustinian priory of 224, 261

Bedford, burgesses of 228, 325

Belet, William, knight of Enborne, Berkshire 48–9, 94–5, 320

bells, ringing to announce a miracle 214, 227

Benedict of Peterborough, hagiographer

background and entry into Christ Church 6–7

career as prior of Christ Church and abbot of Peterborough, 54–8

composition of the liturgical Office for Becket 4, 51–4

composition of the Miracles 18–20, 22–54, 221, 323–4

composition of the Passion 10–13, 49–50, 54

methods of collecting miracles 2, 5, 18–20, 22–8

and Henry II, king of England 55–6

and Richard I, king of England 7

prejudice against Jews 59, 97, 125, 162

present in Canterbury on day Becket killed 1, 11

silences barking dogs in Becket’s name 266

vision of Becket 15, 83–4

writing style and ability 3–4, 5, 37–8, 59

Bertha of Gloucester (Bertha of Hereford) 91, 306

Bertha, widow of Elias Giffard 211, 306–7

blacksmiths, miracles involving 120, 279

blinding as judicial punishment 80, 224–7, 288–9, 327

blinding as miraculous punishment 249–50, 250, 250–1, 251

blindness and eye problems 92–3, 95–6, 115, 118–19, 120, 122, 134–5, 135–6, 136–7, 137, 138, 152, 162, 174, 176, 186–7, 188, 193, 194–5, 195–6, 196, 205–6, 209, 210, 211, 213, 224–7, 232, 248, 249, 249–50, 250, 250–1, 251, 260, 265, 272, 288–9, 298, 327

blind from birth 162, 195–6, 196, 210, 265

testing vision 135, 162, 176, 195–6, 196, 226–7, 248, 265, 327

“the blind of St. Thomas” 251

blisters, miracles concerning 147, 149–50, 162, 195, 206, 261

blood, see Becket, blood of; flux; menstrual flow

breathing, see suffocation and breathing problems

Brian de Insula, provost 138, 307

Brithiva, inhabitant of Canterbury 48, 95–6

Byland, abbey of 204

candles

lit candles seen in spot Becket confirmed children 215

measuring for 120, 143–4, 153–4, 198, 223, 241, 268–9, 269–70, 298, 303, 326, 351

miracles of relighting in Canterbury Cathedral at Pentecost 168–72

miraculously relit candles preserved, parts given to petitioners 171

see also offerings, candles

Canterbury Cathedral 22–3, 57–8

altar of Virgin Mary 16, 130, 132

marble pavement of 173

martyrdom site 57, 70–2, 135, 137, 139, 172, 173, 347

opening of crypt to pilgrims 15–16, 96 n.43, 116–17

pilgrims seeing from afar 184, 273

stained glass windows portraying Becket’s miracles 37 n.88, 57, 58 n.129, 61 n.5, 72–3 n.29, 91 n.29, 96 n.41, 99 n.50, 107 n.71, 108 n.75, 117 n.14, 127 nn.27–8, 133 n.36, 182 n.26, 204 n.65, 210 n.81, 214 n.89, 244 n.44, 268 n.83, 277 n.99, 281 n.106, 285 n.119, 290 n.129, 293 n.136, 303 n.16

suspension of services due to desecration by Becket’s murder 14, 47, 76–7, 93 n.32, 113, 116, 306

sweet smell emanating from 121, 190

visions regarding 85–6, 88–9, 130–1

see also Becket, Thomas, St., tomb of

Canterbury, city of

Flemish citizens of 133

hearths lit with fire from miraculously relit candles 171

inns and lodging in 96, 102–3, 126, 141, 148, 172, 178, 189

Jewish citizen of 125–6

prayer facing towards 234

prophecies about 90–1

western suburb of 161

castration, judicial punishment 80, 221–9, 325–7

Cecilia, daughter of Jordan of Plumstock 26 n.75, 274–7, 324, 334–7

cheese and dairy products, miracles involving 120, 145–6, 198–9, 237 n.32, 301, 347, 349

children, at play 106, 114, 198, 222, 245, 252, 268–9, 269, 297–8, 326, 353

children, confirmation of by Becket and miracles where he stood 208–9, 215

children, miracles concerning 29, 107–8, 121–2, 139–40, 144, 151, 153, 161–3, 171–2, 175, 187, 198–9, 201, 210, 213–14, 234, 242–3, 245, 249, 251, 265, 268–70, 277–8, 283–4, 287, 293–5, 297–8, 337–8, 341–4

children, resurrections of 270–4, 277–8, 293–5, 333–4, 334–7, 337–8, 342–4

Christ Church, Canterbury, Benedictine monks 6–7

accused of using diabolical arts 16, 141

grief at Becket’s death 14, 73–4, 76–7, 89–90, 113

petitions for Becket’s canonization 20–2, 50–1

relationship with Becket 6–11, 13, 68–9, 73–4, 76–7

servants of 114–15, 169, 303–4

visions of 83–4, 88–90, 130–1

witnessing miracles at Becket’s tomb 22, 90, 118–19, 127, 133–4, 174, 188, 249, 279

see also Benedict of Peterborough; Gervase of Canterbury; Odo, prior of Christ Church; Ralph, monk of Christ Church; Richard, cellarer of Christ Church; Richard of Dover, archbishop of Canterbury; Robert, sacrist of Christ Church; Roger, monk of Christ Church; William, cellarer of Christ Church; William of Canterbury

coins, miracles involving 34, 36, 196, 200–1, 201, 202, 253, 253–4, 254–5, 256, 271

coin-bending, cultic practice of 196, 271

confession of sins 124, 143, 154, 156, 175, 194, 203, 207, 223, 225, 227–8, 249–50, 250, 292, 325–6, 341

Constance, nun of Stixwould 29, 202–3, 316

constipation 146, 159, 280

contraction

of body/general 171–2

of feet, legs, and/or toes 131–2, 136–7, 163, 213–14, 247

of hands, arms, and/or fingers 136, 205, 175, 247, 279, 280

of nerves or sinews 115, 117, 123, 131–2, 135, 175, 176–7, 185, 245, 275

of viscera 292

Corbie, abbey of 288–9

crosses

branding arm with 223, 326

carried before Becket 68

commemorating Becket’s footsteps, miracles at 207–15

Invention of the Cross (feast day) 38, 47, 135–6

making sign of the 148, 160, 204, 206, 225, 327

offerings at tomb of (intended for St. James) 159

praying in shape of 282

Curbaran, shoemaker of Dover 200–1

cures, see miracles

curses, illness resulting from 131, 212, 251, 325

deafness and hearing problems 29, 80, 121, 135–6, 177, 189, 287, 331

stone stuck inside ear 245

testing hearing 189, 287

death and dying, miracles concerning

good death as a miracle 156–7, 157–8

near-death recoveries 114, 119, 143, 196, 197, 199–200, 204, 239–41, 241–2, 242–3, 244, 251–2, 259–60, 263–4, 280, 286–7, 289–90, 297, 340–1

recoveries or rescue of people thought dead 234, 268–70, 274–7, 299–301, 303–4, 346–8, 352, 352–4

resurrection of people who had died 270–4, 277–8, 293–5, 333–4, 334–7, 337–8, 342–4

spirit (supposed) of a dead man 304, 353

womb as sepulchre for dead fetus 241

see also, Becket - death of

death and dying, ritual practices concerning 119, 140, 143, 156–8, 199–200, 204, 234, 239–40, 270–1, 275–7, 278, 280, 294, 300–1, 333, 335, 337, 341, 343–4, 347–8

demons and evil spirits, miracles involving 98–9, 113, 123, 125 n.22, 134, 181, 252, 289–90, 301–2, 340–1, 349–51

diarrhea 146, 245, 297–8, see also flux

dining 96, 145–6, 189, 205, 242, 297–8, 331

doctors 96, 98, 101, 127, 128–9, 145, 153, 155, 157, 184, 202, 204, 241–3, 246, 248, 262, 263–4, 267, 281, 332, 339–40, 343–5

Becket as a doctor 153, 154, 182, 201, 248

saints as doctors 264

see also medicine (of human doctors); surgery

dreams, see visions

dropsy 153–4, 210, 248, 252, 265, 280, 290

drowning 268–9, 269–70, 277–8, 301–4, 337–8, 349–51, 352–3

folk belief that a person baptized on Whitsun eve could not drown 326

see also sea travel

Durand, son of Osborn of Eu 245

dysentery 128–30; see also diarrhea; flux

Edilda, inhabitant of Canterbury 117–18

Edmund, archdeacon of Coventry 230, 307

Edmund, inhabitant of Canterbury 35, 118–19

Edric, inhabitant of Worcester 202

Edric, priest of Ramsholt 198–9

Edward Grim, hagiographer 3, 50, 55–6, 70, 208 n.77

Edwin, inhabitant of Dover 135–6

Eilgar, inhabitant of Calne 247

Eilward, inhabitant of Tenham 121

Eilward of Westoning 1, 24, 41, 44, 50, 80, 222–9, 325–7

Eilwecher, sailor of Dover 258

Eilwin, inhabitant of Berkhamsted 173–4

Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of England 283, 307, 339–40

Elias, knight and reeve of Froyle 237, 307

Elias, monk of Reading 281, 339

Elias, nephew of Richard, dean de Siburna 292

Elias of Evesham, compiler of the Quadrilogus II 1, 11, 70

Eliza, inhabitant of Dunton 210

Eliza, inhabitant of Middleton 264–5

Elvida, inhabitant of Beckenham 137

Elward, inhabitant of Selling 134

Emelina, inhabitant of Canterbury 115–16

Emelina, with excessive menstrual flow 190–1

Emma, inhabitant of Thanington 137–8

Emma, wife of knight Robert de Sancto Andrea 39–40, 48, 92–3, 316

epilepsy 80, 189–90, 244, 247, 292–1; see also fits

Eremburga, inhabitant of London 1, 140–1

Ernald, baker of earl Simon de Senlis 248

Ernald from region of Thérouanne and Ponthieu 245–6

Ernulf from region of Thérouanne and Ponthieu 245–6

Ethelburga, matron known to Christ Church monks 119–20

Etheldreda, inhabitant of Canterbury 107

Everard, chaplain of St. Marys, Winchester 239–40

fasting, voluntary and involuntary 114, 136, 154–6, 200, 229, 237, 239, 241, 263, 275, 332, 335

fevers 101, 107, 115, 142, 151, 177–8, 201, 204–5, 255, 297, 341–2

fires

averted miraculously 232–3, 234

folk belief that person baptized on Whitsun eve could not be burned 326

lit to warm the drowned 277, 304, 338

miraculous relighting of candles 168–72

fistula 144–5, 245–6, 267–8

fits 150, 153, 292–3

Fitz-Eisulf, Jordan, see Jordan, son of Eisulf

Flanders and the Flemish, miracles concerning 133–4, 201–2, 279, 282

flux, miracles involving 128–30, 146, 183–5, 245–6, 280, 283, 297–8; see also diarrhea

foreign objects in body, vomiting, nausea 197

fruit pits 119, 155–6

“seeds” or “material” of disease or illness 129–30, 155, 178, 280

polyp 155

water (from drowning) 269, 353

worms 123, 153

see also accidents; nosebleeds; kidney stones; pregnancy and childbirth

France and French pilgrims, miracles concerning 27 n.79, 84–5, 187, 229(?), 242–6, 247, 257, 263–4, 267–8, 283(?), 288–9, 290

Frodo, from Bury St. Edmunds 138–9

Geldewin, son of Godefrid the baker 114

genitals (male), miracles involving 80, 153, 174, 221–9, 246, 325–7

Geoffrey, blacksmith of Linby 279

Geoffrey, dean of Gloucester 300, 348

Geoffrey Malaeartes, knight 249–50

Geoffrey, monk of Mont-Dieu 290

Geoffrey of Wallingford, monk of Reading 289–90, 308, 340–1

Geoffrey, son of Liviva of Chalgrave 162

Geoffrey, son of Robert and Leticia of Winchester 290–1, 341–2

Gerard of Lille, youth of Flanders 282

Gerard of Samford, knight of Flanders 279

Germany and German pilgrim, miracle concerning 252

Gervase of Canterbury, historian and monk of Christ Church 7, 10, 14, 17, 55

Gilbert, baker of Rochester 232–3

Gilbert Foliot, bishop of London 9, 46, 195, 308, 311, 320, 322

Gilbert Foliot, steward and relative of Gilbert Foliot, bishop of London 195–6, 308

Gilbert, inhabitant of the Isle of Thanet 163

Gilbert of St. Valery, leper 283

Gilbert, shoemaker of London 144

Gilbert, son of Wulviva and Ralph of Sarre 269–70

Gilbert, son of William of Brun 297

Girard, sailor of Dover 330

glass vessels, containing blood or water relic 104–5, 193–4, 289

Godbold, inhabitant of Boxley, daughters of 214–15

Godefrid, baker of Christ Church 114–15, 308

Godeliva, inhabitant of Canterbury 125

Godfrey, bishop of St. Asaph and abbot of Abingdon 25, 283, 308–9, 339–40

Godfrey, son of Adam of Lillingston 186, 309

Goditha, daughter of Baldwin of Wye 170–1

Goditha, inhabitant of Canterbury 108

Goditha, inhabitant of Hayes 210

Godiva, inhabitant of Chelmsford 162

Godiva, inhabitant of Stratford 177

Godwin, inhabitant of Braithwell 188–9

gout, in arm 120

Griffin, inhabitant of Wales 192–3

Guncelin, monk of Norwich 152

Gunnilda de Elfiestun 172

Gunnilda de Hameldene 183–4

Gunnilda, inhabitant of Luton 190

Haimo, inhabitant of Essex 126

hairshirt for the dying 275, 335

hairshirt of Becket, see Becket, clothing of

Hamelin de Warenne, earl 272, 309, 333

headache and brain 121, 137, 154, 154–5, 155–6, 246

heart problems 172–3, 210, 280

Hedewic, tanner of Gloucester 211

hemorrhoids 278

Henry I, king of England 131

Henry II, king of England 8–9, 37, 47, 61–7, 72, 84 n.7, 285, 331

agreement with Becket at Fréteval 64–5

and Alexander III, pope 21, 47

and Benedict of Peterborough 55–6

dispute with Becket 8-9, 14, 37, 61–7, 224 n.6

penance for Becket’s murder 21, 54

Henry de Longavilla, knight 189, 229 n.11, 309

Henry de Topindenne 215

Henry, inhabitant of Fordwich 120–1

Henry of Houghton, master and clerk of Becket 35, 205–8, 309

Henry, sailor of London 255

Henry, son of Aliza of Northampton 213–14

Henry, son of Eilmer and Edilda de Beche 139

Henry, son of Elias, of the marshes 176

Henry, son of William, knight of Kelvedon 153

Henry the Younger, son of King Henry II 60, 62, 64–6, 86 n.10, 306, 308–9, 311, 317

coronation of 60, 62, 63 n.8, 64

Becket’s affection for 64

hepatic, see liver problems

Herbert of Bosham, clerk and hagiographer 13, 69 n.22

Hermer, son of Tetion 243

hernia 212–13, 287–8, 293–5, 343; see also prolapsed rectum

Hingan, neighbor of Robert de Beveruno 292–3

hospitals 57, 102, 161 n.83, 229, 247

Huelina, daughter of Aaliza of London 93–4

Hugh, cellarer of Jervaulx Abbey 204

Hugh de Beauchamp, baron of Eaton Soton 153–4, 310

Hugh de Puiset, bishop of Durham 26, 63 n.8, 227–8, 310–11, 323

Hugh, inhabitant of Ebblingham 299, 344–6

Hugh Morville, murderer of Becket 67, 310, 323, 331

Hugh, son of William of Bourne 145

Hugo de Tukin, knight of Provins 267–8

humor and laughter, miracles involving 145–6, 180–1, 198–9; derisive humor, 180–1, 181, 182, 183, 250

Humphrey, of the diocese of Chesterton 230–2

Ingelram, son of Stephen de Meinil (of Goulton), knight 261–3, 331–2

Ingram, bishop of Glasgow 354

injuries

arm/hand injuries 202, 223, 242, 326

eye injury 249

head injury 223, 326

leg/foot injuries 147, 187, 213, 201

inflicted on Becket and the church 63–6

on side of body, leading to miscarriage 172

prolapsed rectum described as injury 243–4

see also blinding, judicial punishment; castration; wounds

insanity and mental disorder 114, 116, 120–1, 134, 140–1, 150, 243, 252, 253, 265, 266

acting as if insane 66, 197, 213, 226, 243, 245, 263, 271, 294, 344

weary of life due to illness 128

see also suicide (attempted)

invocation of Becket’s name 102, 146, 148, 160, 191, 211, 234, 253, 254, 257, 266, 267, 279, 285, 290, 291, 347

Iselda, daughter of Henry de Longavilla, knight 189

Ivo, sailor of Lynn 258

Jervaulx, abbey of 204–5

Jewish woman of Canterbury, miracle involving 125

Jocelin de Bohun, bishop of Salisbury 25, 63 n.8, 283–4, 311, 323

John, inhabitant of Bennington 199–200

John, inhabitant of Valenciennes 288–9

John Kinstan, abbot of Jervaulx 35, 204–5, 311

John of Salisbury, clerk of Becket and hagiographer 9, 15, 19, 50, 67, 79 n.13, 105 n.67, 306, 311–12, 320, 322

censure of Becket’s argument with the knights 67

John of the Chapel, clerk of Roger, archdeacon of Shrewsbury 155–6

John, servant of Sweyn of Roxburgh 303–4, 352–4

John, son of Vivian, borough reeve 185, 311

Jordan, son of Eisulf 41, 44, 270–4, 312, 324, 333–4

judicial trials, miracles concerning 221–9, 285, 286, 326–7

Juliana, daughter of Gerard of Rochester 248

Juliana, inhabitant of Godmersham 280

Juliana, wife of Robert Puintel, knight 142–3

kidney stones 161, 279, 292

Lambert, inhabitant of St. Omer 242

lameness and mobility problems 23, 35, 38–9, 80, 108, 115–16, 117–18, 119, 131–2, 132, 135–6, 136–7, 137–8, 138–9, 139, 139–40, 147–9, 149–50, 163, 172, 173–4, 176–7, 185, 187, 188–9, 192–3, 201, 213–14, 214–15, 245–6, 267

lame since birth 139, 176–7, 213–14, 214–15

recovery tested 177

Lefseda, of the marshes 162

leprosy 229–30, 230–2, 247, 271–2, 281–2, 282, 283, 283–4, 284–5, 299, 333–4, 338–9, 339–40, 344–6

Becket cures more lepers than any other saint 232

relapses of 230, 283

spiritual leprosy, cure of 345–6

Leuric, inhabitant of Barking in Suffolk 211

lientery 128–30; see also dysentery

light, miraculous 170, 215; see also candles; fires

liturgy and liturgical celebration

biblical allusions and 38–9

celebration of the Mass 97, 148, 158, 194, 232, 244, 294, 335, 347

English going to taverns on feast days 222

Office for Becket by Benedict of Peterborough 4, 51–5, 85 n.8, 89 n.21, 91 n.26, 172 n.14, 222 n.3, 237 n.32

priest celebrates Becket as martyr before canonization 227

priests unable to conduct services due to illness 148, 207

stress on events in Lent 1171 and at Easter and Pentecost 1171 in the Miracles 40–9

suspension of services due to desecration of Canterbury Cathedral 14, 47, 76–7, 93 n.32, 113, 116, 306

text of collect for Becket’s aid 351

visions involving 83–4, 88–9, 89–90, 107

see also death and dying, ritual practices; confession of sins; invocation of Becket’s name; prayer

liver problems 101–2, 248

Liveva, inhabitant of Darenth 179–80

Liveva, wife of Godric de Lefstanestun 176

London, city of 96–7, 134–5, 140–1, 144, 151, 176, 255, 321

Luciana, daughter of Walter Torel 212

madness, see insanity

Manwin, inhabitant of Canterbury 115

martyrdom, see Becket, death of

Mary, inhabitant of Rouen 244, 247 n.45

Matilda and Roger, inhabitants of London, son of 144

Matilda de Percy, countess of Warwick 294, 312

Matilda de St. Hilary, wife of earl Roger de Clare 41–2, 44, 52, 293–5, 312–13, 343–4

Matilda, inhabitant of Canterbury, wife of Ertin of Flanders 133–4

Matilda, inhabitant of Cologne 252

Matilda, widow of Robert, son of Gilbert 29, 202–3, 316

Matilda, wife of Geoffrey Paris of Ipswich 138

Matilda, wife of Silewin of Thornbury 197

Matilda, wife of William, son of Robert 29, 202–3, 316

Melania, wife of William of Fontenay 268

measurement, of length of body, body parts, and/or items to make candles 120, 143, 144, 153–4, 198, 223, 241, 269, 298, 303, 326, 351; to make offering of silver thread 268–9

medicine (of human doctors) 94, 115, 128, 143, 147, 198, 204, 264

menstrual flow, miracles concerning 190, 190–1

mental illness, see insanity

miracles

concerning accident and injury, see accidents; drowning; foreign objects; injuries; sea travel; suffocation and breathing problems; wounds

concerning animals, see animals

concerning demons, see demons and evil spirits; epilepsy; fits; insanity and mental disorder; suicide (attempted)

concerning illness and disability, see abscesses; arm pain; blindness and eye problems; blisters; cancer; constipation; contraction; deafness and hearing problems; death and dying; diarrhea; dropsy; dysentery; epilepsy; fevers; fits; fistula; flux; foreign objects; genitals; gout; headache and brain; heart problems; hemorrhoids; hernia; kidney problems; kidney stones; lameness and mobility problems; leprosy; lientery; liver problems; menstrual flow; muteness and speech problems; nosebleeds; paralysis; pestilence; phthisis; pregnancy and childbirth; prolapsed rectum; pustules; quinsy; sclerosis (of liver); smell (sense of); stomach problems; swelling; suffocation and breathing problems; toothache; ulcers; uterus; viscera

concerning mental illness, see demons and evil spirits; epilepsy; fits; insanity and mental disorder; suicide (attempted)

concerning natural forces, see ale-making; ampullas; candles; fires; glass vessels; light; rain; pyxes; sea travel

concerning justice and behavior, see blinding; castration; judicial trials; punishments

concerning lost and found, multiplying or disappearing items, see anchors; ampullas; Becket, blood of; cheese and dairy products; coins; glass vessels; humor and laughter; pyxes; water relic

concerning or involving visions, see visions and dreams

cure of the soul through confession more glorious than cure of body 175

denied to boys sleeping on tomb 121–2, 122

greatest, the thronging of the people 91

of good deaths 156–7, 157–8

termed delightful, sport, and/or joke miracles 123–6, 145–6, 181–2; see also humor and laughter

written account of miracles cures swelling 290

Miracles of St. Thomas Becket by Benedict of Peterborough 76–304

additions made after circulation begins xi–xii, 53–4

biblical allusions and biblical parallelism in xii, 37–49

captions not written by Benedict xii

connective organization and miracle matching 30–7

dating of composition to 1171–3 20–1, 40–9, 50, 54

liturgical calendar, chronology, and dated miracles in 40–9

letters utilized in 25–6, 324

manuscript circulation of xi–xii, 2–3

notetaking for 27–9

Prologue of 18, 21, 39, 50–2, 54

read aloud in chapterhouse 36

reconstruction of Becket’s “first five” miracles 47–9, 92–7

three main categories of miracles in 22–7, 92

money, see alms; coins; offerings

Muriel, vomited fruit pits 35, 119

murderers of Becket 11–13, 60–74, 100, 310, 331; see also Hugh Morville; Reginald Fitz-Urse; Richard de Brito; William de Tracy

muteness and speech problems 96–7, 113–14, 135–6, 193, 212, 243, 289, 340–1

Nicholas, son of Aileva 236, 313

Nicholas, son of Hugh de Beauchamp 153–4

nosebleeds 143–4, 204, 289

nuns and religious women, miracles involving 25, 102–3, 202–3, 235

Odilda, inhabitant of Southwell 209

Odo of Falaise, knight 232

Odo, prior of Christ Church, Canterbury 9, 55, 57, 236, 288, 313, 340–1

offerings 93, 135, 143–4, 150, 154, 159–60, 174, 187, 202, 232, 241, 245, 243, 255–6, 258, 271

annual payment 197, 201, 229

belt 235

bent coins 196, 271

candles 120, 128, 168–9, 223, 298, 303

crosses (intended for St. James) 159

crutches 173, 174, 185, 189, 245

farthing 201

gold 256

hair 189

litter/bed 278

pennies 201, 202, 271, 229

silver thread 268–9

staff 116, 118, 127

stone removed from ear 245

vows of 93, 143, 196, 202, 241, 256, 271, 330

wax 160

wax in shape of anchor 258, 330

wax in shape of body part 150, 160, 187, 190–1

see also measurement for candles

Osbern, inhabitant of Lisieux 287–8

of arm and/or hand 187–8, 207, 211, 262, 279, 280, 331–2

of body/general 80, 151, 155–6, 191–2, 239–40

of feet and legs 126–7

of tongue 96–7, 212

Passion of St. Thomas Becket by Benedict of Peterborough 1, 10–13, 60–75

comparison of Becket’s death to Christ’s 11–13

dating of to 1172, one of earliest accounts of Becket’s death 49–50, 52, 54

surviving extracts found in Quadrilogus II x–xi, 1, 11

peasants, miracles concerning 131, 145, 185 (villein), 250–1, 325

pestilence 198, 270–3

Peter de Arches, knight, healing of wife 278, 314

Peter de Denintona 286–7

Peter de Melida, master and clerk of Lincoln 151, 314

Peter, inhabitant of Essex 126

Peter of Celle, abbot of St.-Rémi 19, 290, 311, 313–14

Peterborough, Benedictine monastery of 56–7

Philip, cleric of Alnwick 246–7

Philip, son of Hugh Scot 277–8, 324, 337–8

phthisis 157–8

physicians, see doctors

pilgrimage to Canterbury

barefoot 127, 263, 273, 286, 294–5, 344

by boat or ship (within Britain) 140, 169, 205

by cart 126, 129, 185, 250–1, 263

by litter or carried 117, 127, 138, 139, 140, 172, 172–3, 173, 205, 267, 278

delayed or put off 93, 102, 129, 244, 272–3, 333–4

dispensing alms while on 227, 251, 253–4

miracles occurring at different moments during 186

predictions of Canterbury as a site for 90–1

secret or unknown to the monks 97, 108, 116, 185, 230–1, 281, 283–4, 284–5, 339

sites for Becket outside of Canterbury, see crosses; Newington, Kent; Whitchurch

vows of 93, 94, 149–50, 150, 154, 159, 186, 188, 190, 197, 202, 241, 244, 245, 246, 256, 262, 263–4, 266, 271, 273, 286, 287–8, 292, 295, 298, 300, 301, 330, 333, 344, 348

see also Flanders and Flemish pilgrims; France and French pilgrims; Germany and German pilgrim; sea travel; Scotland and Scottish pilgrims; Wales and Welsh pilgrims

pilgrimage to Compostela 91, 159, 252

pilgrimage to Jerusalem 90–1, 119, 223, 229–30, 252, 269

pilgrimage to Rome 91

pilgrimage to Saint-Gilles 91

Pontigny, abbot of 69

pope, see Alexander III

prayer

at tomb or in cathedral 96, 101, 118, 121, 135, 172, 173, 174, 185, 188, 345

facing in the direction of Canterbury 234

lying prostate in 118, 120, 127, 129, 132, 139, 174, 229, 174, 259, 282, 284

keeping vigil 96, 130, 143, 185, 187, 192, 224–6, 270, 327

“presumptuous” 140

recitation of the Lord’s Prayer 199, 200, 256, 258, 259

text of collect (?) for Becket’s aid 351

pregnancy and childbirth 102, 142–3, 172, 183–4, 241–2, 264–5; see also menstrual flow; swelling, breast; uterus

prolapsed rectum 242–3

punishments, miracles involving 123–5, 125, 126, 133–4, 141, 142, 144, 145–6, 179–80, 180–1, 181, 182, 182–3, 244, 249–50, 250, 250–1, 251, 270–4, 279, 324–5, 331–2

pustules 132, 198, 229, 246–7, 283

pyxes, wooden 102–3, 106, 123–5, 125, 126, 145–6, 179–80, 180–1, 181, 181–2, 236

hung on the wall near Becket’s tomb 181

switch to metal ampullas 181–2

water relic boiling in 123–5, 180–1

quinsy 142, 152, 199–200, 324–5

Ralph de Hathfeld 291–2

Ralph de Tangis 132

Ralph, fowler of Flanders, daughter of 201–2

Ralph, inhabitant of Bourne, daughter of 106

Ralph, inhabitant of Essex 160

Ralph, inhabitant of Sheppey 123–5

Ralph, monk of Christ Church 103–5

Ralph of Longueville, leper 229–30

Ralph, son of Ralph of Lincoln 143–4

Ralph, subprior of St. Augustine’s, Canterbury 254–5

rain, miracle involving 235

Ranulf de Broc, king’s official 9–10, 15, 46, 65, 68, 72, 100, 103, 314

Ranulph, priest of Froyle 237–41

Reading, abbey of 281–2, 289–90, 308, 322, 324, 338–9, 340–1

Reginald Fitz-Urse, murderer of Becket 60–71, 314

Reinard, burgess of Stafford 236

relics of Becket, see ampullas; Becket, blood of; Becket, body of; Becket, clothing of; Becket, dust of bed; Becket, tomb of; candles, miraculously relit preserved; pyxes; reliquary; water relic

relics, swearing on 62, 253, 257

reliquary, containing Becket’s blood and hairshirt 294

resurrection miracles, see death and dying

Richard I, king of England 7

Richard, abbot of Sulby 193–4, 314–15

Richard de Brito, murderer of Becket 60 n.2

Richard de Lucy, royal justiciar 208 n.75, 208 n.77, 315

Richard de Rokeleia, knight 154

Richard, cellarer of Christ Church 12, 68, 74

Richard, cleric of the sheriff of Devon 253–4

Richard, knight of Stanley 205

Richard, master and monk of Ely 292, 315

Richard of Dover, archbishop of Canterbury 7, 50, 53, 80 n.16

Richard, scholar of Northampton 128–30

Richard, son of Roger of Salisbury 178–9

Richard, son of Eilnold of Bearsted 131–2

Richard Sunieve, shepherd 284–5

Richard Wise, member of Rohese de Vere’s household 184–5

Robert, blacksmith on Isle of Thanet 120

Robert, canon of Croxton Abbey, Leicestershire 260

Robert, canon of St. Frideswide’s, Oxford 146

Robert, clerk of Lincoln 258

Robert de Baalim 213

Robert de Beveruno 292

Robert de Broc, king’s official 9–10, 15, 46, 65, 67–8, 103–4, 177, 315–16

Robert de Broi, prior of Lenton 236, 316

Robert de Sancto Andrea, knight 92–3, 316

Robert, inhabitant of London 176

Robert, knight, son of Jocelin of Springfield 156–7

Robert of Cricklade, prior of St Frideswide’s, Oxford 146–9, 222 n.3, 225 n.5, 316

Robert of Swaffham, chronicler of Peterborough Abbey 7, 56–7, 59

Robert, sacrist of Christ Church 24, 138, 183, 287, 315

Robert, son of Asketil 287

Robert, son of Gilbert 29, 202, 316

Robert, son of Liviva of Rochester 268–9

Rochester, city of 114, 148, 184, 193–5, 206, 213, 232–3, 248, 251, 254, 268

Roger, archdeacon of Shrewsbury 317

Roger, clerk of London 151

Roger de Clare, earl of Hertford 41–2, 44, 52, 293–5, 317, 342–4

Roger de Pont L’Évêque, archbishop of York 37, 63 n.8, 311, 317, 346

Roger, knight, son of Herbert of Bisley 157–9

Roger, monk of Christ Church, abbot of St Augustine’s 22, 56, 266–7, 317–18

Roger, son of Savaric de Vallibus, knight 297–8, 318

Rohese de Vere, countess 25, 184, 261, 318

rupture, see hernia

sailors, miracles involving 255–8, 328–30

St. Alban 205

St. Augustine’s, abbey of 6, 56, 254–5

St. Catherine of Alexandria 275

St. Cecilia 212

St. Edith of Wilton 212

St. Edmund, martyr 138, 231, 264, 281

St. Etheldreda 211

St. Frideswide’s, Oxford, priory of 146–9

St. Godric of Finchale 88 n.19

St. Giles 91

St. Ithamar of Rochester 194

St. James of Compestela 91, 159, 252

St. John’s Abbey, Colchester 104

St. Lawrence 87

St. Leonard 264

St. Margaret of Antioch 264

St. Martin of Tours 170, 266

St. Omer 345

St. Peter (apostle) 279

St. Stephen (protomartyr) 87, 96

St. Thomas Becket, see Becket, Thomas, St.

St. Vincent 87

Salerna, daughter of Thomas of Ifield 301–3, 349–51

Samson, mute man cured on Easter 113–14

Samuel, cleric 215

Sandwich, port of 159, 282

Saxeva, inhabitant of Dover 127–8

sclerosis (of liver) 101

scourging 223, 326

Scotland and Scottish pilgrims, miracles concerning 267, 303–4, 352–4

sea travel, miracles involving 159, 160, 255, 256, 256–7, 257, 258, 328, 329, 330; see also sailors

Segiva, daughter of Richard of Essex 251–2

Seileva, inhabitant of Froyle 238–9

servants, miracles concerning

female 133–4, 226, 237–8, 292

male 99–101, 114–15, 201, 205–6, 284–5, 303–4

shepherds 145–6, 205–6, 284–5

ships, see sea travel

shoemakers 144, 200–1

Sibilla, matron 253

Silvester, treasurer and canon of Lisieux 287–8, 318

Simeon, enemy of the martyr 25, 183

Simon de Senlis III, earl 25, 248, 318

skin problems, see abscesses; blisters; cancer; fistula; leprosy; ulcers

sleep, see visions and dreams

sleep disturbance, miracle concerning 98–9

sleeping on Becket’s tomb 121–2, 122

sleeping outdoors resulting in illness 113, 132, 206

smell (sense of), miracle involving 121

Solomon, inhabitant of London 152

Stephen, canon of Bedford 261

Stephen de Meinil (of Goulton), knight 261–3, 318–19, 331–2

Stephen, knight of Holland 98–9, 319

stole

Becket’s 152

priest’s, blessed by Becket 102

stomach problems 119, 127–30, 144, 177, 183–4, 251–2, 280, 292; see also dropsy; flux; foreign objects; swelling; viscera

surgery, for hernia 293, 343

swelling

arms/hands 94–5, 152, 160, 176, 259–60

breast 238–9

face/jaw 99–101, 122–3, 199–200, 229, 238, 245–6, 284

eyes 162, 194–5, 206, 260, 298; horse’s eye 190

general/unspecified 142–3, 347

genitals 174, 246

head 93–4, 196, 260, 286–7

kidneys 139–40

legs/feet 108, 147–9, 188–9, 192–3

neck 152

stomach 107–8, 129–30, 177–8, 183–4, 261, 268, 278, 292, 304, 338

uterus 203, 263–5

see also dropsy; quinsy

suffocation and breathing problems 98–9, 157, 210, 286, 290–1, 292, 300, 324–5, 347; see also drowning

suicide (attempted) 301–3, 349–51

tavern and wineseller’s shop 144, 222, 326, 344

Tetion, son of Hertran 242–4

Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury 7–8, 336

Theodwin, papal legate 20–2, 51

Thomas of Etton, knight of region of York 142, 319, 324–5

Thomas of St. Valery, adolescent with foot injury 187

Thomas, son of Adam of the marshes 161

Thomas, venerable clerk 158–9

thread, see measurement; offering

toothache, miracle concerning 18, 99–101

clenched teeth 271, 277–8, 338, 341

Turstan of Croydon, clerk 275, 319–20, 336

uterus 184, 203, 241, 263–5

Vidoch de Anoch 244

Virgin Mary 86, 140, 170, 195, 226, 261, 279, 326, 343, 346

altar of, in Canterbury Cathedral 16, 130, 132

altar and image of, in St Mary’s, Bedford 226, 327

viscera 151, 292; see also stomach

visions and dreams 72, 81–92, 96, 100, 107–8, 120, 127–8, 128–9, 130–1, 136, 139, 149–50, 155, 157, 161, 178–9, 188–9, 192–3, 199, 200–1, 205, 206, 214, 225–6, 228, 246, 250, 252, 255, 256–7, 258, 259, 262–3, 271–2, 282, 286, 229, 302, 304, 332, 302–3, 327, 332, 333–4, 348, 350, 352–3

foretelling Canterbury’s future 90–1

liturgical visions 83–4, 88–9, 89–90, 107

regarding Becket’s blood 50, 178–9, 252, 262

regarding Becket’s position in heaven 86–8, 157

regarding papal excommunication of murderers 100

regarding rewards and punishments for the dead 275

vision of Bartholomew, bishop of Exeter 84

vision of Becket coming out of a shrine 246

vision of Benedict of Peterborough 15, 42, 83–4

vision of monk of Lewes, visited by dead monk 86–7

vision of Orm 87–8

vomiting, see foreign objects

vows, see pilgrimage to Canterbury, vows of; measurement; offerings, vows of

Walter, clerk of Hatcliffe 266

Walter de Walensis, abbot of Colchester 104, 320

Walter, inhabitant of Berkhamsted 174

Walter, knight of Lisors 247

wandering preacher 106

Warin Grosso, knight of Norfolk 259–60

water relic (“water of St Thomas” “water of Canterbury”) 16–18, 35, 96–7, 107, 107–8, 115, 118, 119, 121, 122–3, 146, 148, 155–6, 156–7, 157–8, 159, 162, 177–8, 178–9, 179–80, 180–1, 181, 181–2, 182–3, 183, 183–4, 185, 193–4, 203, 204, 205, 210, 229–30, 230–2, 232–3, 235, 235–6, 237–8, 238–9, 242, 243, 244, 249–50, 250, 251–2, 259, 259–60, 260, 261, 263–4, 265, 270–4, 277–8, 280, 282, 286, 287, 289, 290, 292, 293, 297, 298, 333–4, 338, 339, 341, 343

beginning of monks’ practice of mixing blood and water 16–18, 96–7, 107–8

changing into blood 235, 235–6

containers kept hidden by pilgrims at first 182

distribution of by monks to pilgrims 96–7, 107, 179–80

importance of for spread of Becket’s cult 17–18, 179, 182

mocking of 183

ordinary water presented as cures ill man 259

similarities to Eucharist 17, 49, 97, 107

stealing of, by women 179–80, 273–4

termed “medicine” 108, 121, 134, 145, 156, 178, 194, 237, 259, 344

see also Becket - blood of

wax, see candles, offerings

Wedeman, inhabitant of Folkestone, daughter of 175

Wekerilda, inhabitant of Horton 40, 136–7

Weremund, son of Wielard of Béthune 242–3

Whitchurch, relics and cures at 191–3

widows 202, 211, 269, 286

five widows praying for recovery of drowned boy 269

miracle concerning dowry 286

William I, king of Scotland 353–4

William, abbot of Croxton Abbey, Leicestershire 260, 315, 320

William Brito, son of Jordan son of Eisulf 270–4, 312, 333–4

William, cellarer of Christ Church 12, 68

William Crispin, youth of St. David’s 280

William de Benewella, son of 251

William de Broc, brother of Robert de Broc 177–8

William de Tracy, murderer of Becket 60 n.2, 70

William de Vernon 263, 321

William de Warenne, knight 236

William FitzStephen, clerk and hagiographer 15, 27, 48, 70

William, inhabitant of Baldock, daughter of 298

William, inhabitant of Gloucester 299–301, 346–8

William, inhabitant of Horsepool 265

William, inhabitant of London 134–5

William, knight of Chester 160

William of Canterbury, monk of Christ Church and hagiographer 3–5, 7, 10, 13, 27–8, 50–1, 55

begins composition of his Miracles of St Thomas Becket in 1172 27

his accounts of the “parallel miracles” (miracles also described in Benedict’s Miracles) 4–5, 323–54

William of Dene, knight of region of Canterbury 38, 126–7

William of Earley, knight 149–50, 306, 320–1

William of Monkton, cleric 50–1

William, owner of houses of Yarmouth 234

William Patrick, servant of William of Warbleton 99–101

William, priest of Bourne 105–6, 321

William, priest of London 17–18, 48–9, 96–7, 321

William, son of citizen of Canterbury 107–8

William, son of Eudes of Parndon 234

William, son of Payne de Pech 187–8

William, son of Ranulf, lord of Whitchurch 26, 191–2, 236 n.28, 321

William, son of wife of William of Lincoln 139–40

William the Templar, abbot of Reading Abbey 281–2, 322, 339

William Turbe, bishop of Norwich 26, 276–7, 322, 336–7

William, villein of Higham Ferrers 185

Wissant, church of St. Nicholas, relics held at 243

Wivelina, inhabitant of Littlebourne 196

Wlviva, inhabitant of Canterbury 35, 118

Wlviva, religious woman 52, 102–3

wounds

Becket’s from knights’ swords 70

from lance on jaw 267

swearing by God’s wounds 65

thumb cut with knife 242

“wound of disbelief” 146

“wounds of the soul” 116

see also accidents; blinding; cancer; castration; fistula; injuries