_Becket's Mother._--I do not pretend to explain the facts mentioned by
MR. FOSS (Vol. ii., p. 106.), that the hospital founded in honour of
Becket was called "The Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr, _of Acon_;"
and that he was himself styled "St. Thomas _Acrenis_, or _of Acre_;" but
I believe that the true explanation must be one which would not be a
hindrance to the rejection of the common story as to the Archbishop's
birth. _If_ these titles were intended to connect the Saint with Acre in
Syria, they may have originated after the legend had become popular. But
it seems to me more likely, that, like some other city churches and
chapels, that of St. Thomas got its designation from something quite
unconnected with the history of the patron. In particular, I would ask
what is the meaning of "St. Nicolas _Acons_?" And may not the same
explanation (whatever it be) serve for "St. Thomas _of Acon_?" Or the
hospital may have been built on some noted "acre" (like _Long Acre_ and
_Pedlars Acre_); and if afterwards churches in other places were
consecrated to St. Thomas under the designation "_of Acre_," (as to
which point I have no information), the churches of "our Lady _of
Loretto_," scattered over various countries, will supply a parallel. As
to the inference which Mr. Nichols (_Pilgrimages_, p. 120.) draws from
the name _Acrensis_, that Becket was _born at_ Acre, I must observe that
it introduces a theory which is altogether new, and not only opposed to
the opinion that the Archbishop was of English or Norman descent on both
sides, but _essentially_ contradictory of the legend as to the fair
Saracen who came from the East in search of her lover.