Page "Thomas Becket" Paragraph 12

The monks were afraid that Becket's body might be stolen.

To prevent this Becket's remains were placed beneath the floor of the eastern crypt of the cathedral.

A stone cover was placed over the burial place with two holes where pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb ; this arrangement is illustrated in the ' Miracle Windows ' of the Trinity Chapel.

A guard chamber ( now called the Wax Chamber ) had a clear view of the grave.

In 1220, Becket's bones were moved to a new gold-plated and bejewelled shrine behind the high altar in the Trinity Chapel.

The shrine was supported by three pairs of pillars, placed on a raised platform with three steps.

This is also illustrated in one of the miracle windows.

Canterbury, because of its religious history, had always seen a large number of pilgrims.

However, after the death of Thomas Becket, the number of pilgrims visiting the city rose rapidly.