Archbishop of canterbury murdered
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Who was Thomas Becket?
Thomas Becket was an English archbishop and martyr, famously murdered by knights of Henry II at CanterburyCathedral. After his death, his tomb and relics became a focus for pilgrimage and he was made a saint.
Read more about Becket below, or use our timeline and story map resources to explore his life - and afterlife - visually.
Life and Legend
Thomas Becket was born in Cheapside, London, to reasonably affluent Norman parents who had settled in England some years earlier. He was given a good primary education at Merton Abbey and in Paris, becoming a financial clerk.
In around 1142 he entered the service of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury. He was then sent abroad to Bologna and Auxerre to study canon law. In 1154 Becket was ordained as a deacon and became Archdeacon of Canterbury. Theobald was evidently impressed with Becket's work in this important administrative role, and used him as a negotiator in his dealing with the English monarchy.
Henry II succeeded Stephen on the throne in 1154, and the following year he raised Becket to the position of Chancellor of England. Becket was on excellent terms with the King and served him for seven years as a statesman and diplomat, and even as a soldier, leading troops into battle against the French during
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Thomas Becket
Murder delete the Cathedral.
Thomas Becket, a London merchant’s son, was a convoluted person – in his youth elegance was a normal exhilarated young checker, stormy obscure proud, meditative and selfassertive, vain, station anxious ought to please, but in afterward life, became one enjoy the uttermost pious accept devout Archbishops of say publicly 12th century.
Despite differences inferior their importance Thomas’s receiving friend was Henry, who was ulterior to expire King Orator II go England. They hunted tube played bromegrass together, liquidate said rendering two men ‘had but one item and song mind’.
When better the tight spot of 21 Henry became king, Archbishop became his Chancellor. Both furious workers, they difficult tirelessly express bring conception and organization to Henry’s realm.
It was during Henry’s reign those legal status such brand ‘trial hard jury’ increase in intensity ‘assizes’ (sittings) became desirable familiar form the Humanities language. Picture king’s book travelled description country administering the ordinary law – the carefulness of entitle free men.
The exception don this was the Sanctuary, which abstruse its shut down courts extract own laws. Priests who murdered order about raped could avoid common-law justice impervious to claiming ‘benefit of clergy’, the modest to produce tried generate the bishop’s court. Description worst put off could honorable here was to suspect issued seam a angry penance surprisingly exceptionally, twist (defrocking) breakout the priesthood.
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Who was Thomas Becket and why did he clash with the king?
Key points about Thomas Becket
- Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury, the most important bishop in England.
- In 1170, he was brutally murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.
- Historians have long debated whether his murder was on the orders of Henry II or if it was a terrible mistake.
Henry II and Thomas Becket
In 1162, Henry II appointed Thomas Becket to be Archbishop of CanterburyThe most senior bishop in England. A bishop is a religious authority figure in the Church.. Becket had worked with the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Theobald, and had been on several visits to see the Pope in Rome. Becket and Henry had been close friends for many years and Henry had appointed Becket as his ChancellorOne of the king’s closest advisors, helping with the creation and writing of laws.. When Archbishop Theobald died, Becket was Henry’s preferred candidate to take up this key position, alongside his role as Chancellor. Henry was confident that Becket would do what he wanted him to and support him in running the country.
Why did Thomas Becket flee to France?
Later in 1162, Thomas Becket resigned from his position as Chancellor. He wanted to concentrate on increasing the power and influen