‘Water mixed with the blood of Thomas’: contact relic manufacture pictured in Canterbury Cathedral’s stained glass

Stained glass panels in Canterbury Cathedral’s Trinity Chapel depict the mixing of Thomas Becket’s blood with water, creating a visual narrative that parallels the Eucharist and highlights the role of Christ Church Cathedral Priory monks. The images suggest the involvement of a lay sacrist and the use of mazers in the relic’s manufacture, offering rare insights into medieval ceremonial practices. By comparing these panels to Benedict of Peterborough’s miracle narratives, researchers reveal how the glaziers enhanced the relic’s early history, blending artistic representation with theological symbolism.

Koopmans, R. (2016). ‘Water mixed with the blood of Thomas’: contact relic manufacture pictured in Canterbury Cathedral’s stained glass. Journal of Medieval History, 42(5), 535–558. https://doi.org/10.1080/03044181.2016.1222503