[4] In the near future, the parish church of the Kentish village of Valham is undergoing long-overdue restoration largely made possible by the fund-raising efforts of the able and radical young incumbent, Lewis Patterson.
A walled-in chamber is discovered and within it is a coffin sealed with the crest of Thomas Becket.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is convinced the remains are Becket's as does Cardinal Runan and they decide to turn it into a shrine.
[5] Lawler said "I don't pretend that this is necessarily how events would shape themselves if the situation arose.
But I do believe that the historical significance of Thomas A'Beckett is contained in certain words from the play: 'A saint is somebody who spends his life on earth in bringing mankind nearer heaven, and his life hereafter bringing heaven nearer men'.