Carving that could be earliest known sculpture of St. Thomas Becket is rededicated
[The Church of England] An ancient stone carving believed by some historians to be the earliest known sculpture of the murdered medieval archbishop of Canterbury St. Thomas Becket has been rededicated following its cleaning and restoration.
The Purbeck marble relief, depicting a figure seated on a cushion, wearing a mitre and vestments indicating an archbishop, is thought to be either St. Thomas or his predecessor, Theobald of Bec, and is between 850 and 900 years old.
It has been restored to the chancel of St. Lawrence Church, Godmersham in Kent after cleaning and repair by specialist conservators McNeilage Conservation. The church is on the ancient pilgrim route between Winchester and Canterbury and has connections to the author Jane Austen, who worshipped at the church while visiting her brother, who lived at Godmersham House.
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