This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ...of this foul and folourof cowardly murder without indignation against its per-Becketpetrators, and without admiring sympathy for its victim, we may judge what must have been the effect which the tidings of it produced among the men of that generation, not only in England, but in every part of Christendom. Whilst Becket ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ...of this foul and folourof cowardly murder without indignation against its per-Becketpetrators, and without admiring sympathy for its victim, we may judge what must have been the effect which the tidings of it produced among the men of that generation, not only in England, but in every part of Christendom. Whilst Becket lived, many censured his pride and vindictiveness, more than they eulogised his courage and his devotion to the Church cause. But his heroic death called forth an universal enthusiasm in his behalf, amid which all partial blame and qualifying disapproval were forgotten. He Was He becomes patriot, martyr, and saint. Miracles were soon believed r a"d to be wrought where his sacred relics lay; and the Pope was only giving utterance to the popular belief, when, two years after Becket's death, the canonisation of the holy martyr St. Thomas was solemnly proclaimed at Rome. For centuries his shrine was the favourite object of pilgrimage, the receptacle of the richest offerings, and the scene of the most fervent vows, until an eighth Henry arose in England, one who most strongly resembled Becket's royal adversary in both evil and good qualities, and who, in his zeal for kingly power and hatred of Rome, persecuted the memory of the sainted sacerdotal chief with unremitting hostility. Henry VIII.'s order for the destruction of all monu Chap. mental and other records of Thomas Becket were so _ well obeyed, that it is difficult to find in England an 1170--74. image or a painting or any representative memorial of England's once favourite saint; though they are abundant on the Continent, and prove how widely spread through Christendom was the fame of our St. Thomas, and how generally and earnestly he was adored. iionry's Henry II. was at first held up...
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