Canterbury Cathedral’s famous 12th-century stained-glass panels about Thomas Becket are commonly called the Miracle Windows.
The panels illustrate miracles attributed to Becket after his murder in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. They were produced soon after his death and canonisation, when the cathedral became one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations. The images show people seeking healing or help and connect the stories to the saint’s growing cult.
The windows are valuable not only as religious art but also as visual evidence for medieval life. Their scenes include details of clothing, domestic interiors, illness and travel. They are sometimes confused with the cathedral’s Becket martyrdom imagery, but the Miracle Windows focus chiefly on events attributed to him after death.