Our major sources for the life and death of Thomas Becket are rigorously examined in this major new book. In the wake of his murder in December 1170, an extraordinarily large number of Lives of Thomas Becket were produced.They provide an invaluable witness to the life and death of Thomas and the dramatic events in which he was involved, but they are also works of great literary value, more complex and sophisticated than has been recognised. This book, the first to be devoted to the biographers and their works, consists of an examination the individual Lives,followed by an analysis of the biographers' treatment of the major themes in Thomas's life - conversion, conflict, trial, exile and martyrdom - in the light of contemporary hagiographical, historical and theological writing and canon law. It raises points of major significance for the study of intellectual and literary life in the central middle ages and provides an important reassessment of the Becket conflict and Thomas Becket himself. Dr MICHAEL STAUNTON is Lecturer in Medieval History, School of History and Archives, University College Dublin.

"This is a fascinating study, which sets itself a clearly defined remit, which the author successfully manages to explore in a convincing and always engaging manner.[...][C]onstitutes a valuable addition to the corpus of Becket scholarship." - THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW

"Merits careful reading by anyone who wishes to deepen his understanding of one of the most remarkable literary productions of the Middle Ages." - JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

"Offers an expansive and analytical treatment of an important area of medieval historiography." - HISTORY