In a fitted box.Purple cloth binding with gilt title on the spine. Gilt Thomas Becket image on the front board.

F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

• A great Folio First Edition

12th century England with King Henry II on the throne, the Merchants son, rises to become Lord Chancellor and Archbishop. His works and disputes and his tragic death, all told with frankness and easily read. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III.

Thomas Becket (also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170) served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then notably as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Frank Barlow (19 April 1911 – 27 June 2009) was an English historian, known particularly for biographies of medieval figures. His subjects included Edward the Confessor, Thomas Becket and William Rufus.