Thomas Becket Life Death 1965 Folio Society Illustrated Slipcase
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
 
Title: The Life and Death of Thomas Becket
Editor & Translator: George Greenaway
Source Text: Based on the account of William FitzStephen
Publisher: The Folio Society
Printing: William Clowes and Sons Ltd, London & Beccles
Illustrations: Harrison & Sons Ltd, High Wycombe
Edition: Third Impression (1965)
First Published by Folio Society: 1961
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
 
The life of Thomas Becket remains one of the most compelling episodes in English medieval history. His dramatic conflict with Henry II over the rights of the Church culminated in his martyrdom in 1170, an event that shocked Christendom and transformed Becket into a powerful symbol of ecclesiastical resistance.
 
This Folio Society edition presents a scholarly yet highly readable account, based primarily on the near-contemporary narrative of William FitzStephen, one of Becket’s own clerks and eyewitnesses. The addition of material from other contemporary sources enhances its historical authority.
 
The inclusion of illustrations derived from a 13th-century French verse life of Becket gives this edition particular visual and historical appeal, linking the narrative directly to medieval artistic traditions.
 
About the Editor
 
George Greenaway was a respected historian known for making important medieval texts accessible to modern readers through careful translation and scholarly editing.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
 
A beautifully produced Folio Society volume, half bound with red leather to the spine and inner board edges, with decorative imitation wood panels to the boards.
 
Features include:
gilt lettering and decorative tooling to the spine 
top edge stained red 
elegant and distinctive Folio Society design 
 
The binding remains intact and robust, with good overall shelf presence.
 
Condition notes:
light rubbing and creasing to the spine 
light marks and slight discolouration to the leather 
boards remain in very good condition with only a few light scratches 
 
The original black paper-covered slipcase is present and intact, with:
rubbing, especially at edges and on front board
light marks and surface wear 
 
Interior Condition
 
Red pastedowns and endpapers decorated with white crests.
 
The interior is in very good condition:
pages bright and only very lightly tanned 
minimal foxing to a few preliminary pages and endpapers 
otherwise clean, neat, and uncreased 
no ink inscriptions 
very small pencil marking to rear pastedown only 
 
All pages are tightly bound with no structural issues.
 
All 172 pages are present and complete, including all illustrations.
 
Physical Details
 
172 pages 
Dimensions: approx. 26 x 16 x 2.6 cm (including slipcase) 
Weight: approx. 632g