Thomas Becket: Difference between revisions

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Thomas Becket (also ''Thomas a Becket'') was first a clerk then an archdeacon of Canterbury before
'''Thomas Becket''' (also '''Thomas á Becket''') was first a clerk then an [[archdeacon]] of [[Canterbury]] before
[[Henry II]] ascended the throne in 1154. Becket seems to have had an
[[Henry II]] ascended the [[throne]] in 1154. Becket seems to have had an
immediate raport with the king who was fourteen years his junior. The two
immediate raport with the [[king]] who was fourteen years his junior. The two
were almost constant companions and within a year Beckett became Henry's
were almost constant companions and within a year Beckett became Henry's
chancellor.
[[chancellor]].


When Theobald, the [[Archbishop]] of Canterbury, died in 1161 Thomas
When Theobald, the [[Archbishop]] of Canterbury, died in 1161 Thomas
Line 10: Line 10:
against Henry's wishes. A series of conflicts arose between the two, most
against Henry's wishes. A series of conflicts arose between the two, most
notably the question of supremacy of the king's courts when dealing with
notably the question of supremacy of the king's courts when dealing with
the clergy. By 1163 their mutual hostility was open.
the [[clergy]]. By 1163 their mutual hostility was open.


1164 saw the council of Clarendon, which was intended to establish a set
1164 saw the [[council of Clarendon]], which was intended to establish a set
of customs to settle church-state disputes. Its constitutions never
of [[custom]]s to settle church-state disputes. Its constitutions never
received Thomas Becket's seal, and Becket was to strongly criticise
received Thomas Becket's [[seal]], and Becket was to strongly criticise
them later. In October of that same year the two men had an angry
them later. In October of that same year the two men had an angry
confrontation in Northampton which led Beckett to flee to France and
confrontation in Northampton which led Becket to flee to [[France]] and
spend six year in exile.
spend six year in exile.


On his return to England in 1170, Becket delivered a provocative
On his return to [[England]] in 1170, Becket delivered a provocative
Christmas speech. When news of this reached the king he was furious. Four
[[Christmas]] speech. When news of this reached the king he was furious. Four
knights, who thought they understood the intent behind the king's ranting
[[knight]]s, who thought they understood the intent behind the king's ranting
traveled to Kent and killed Becket.
traveled to Kent and killed Becket.


His death was naturally considered a martyrdom by the church. Coupled
His death was naturally considered a [[martyrdom]] by the [[church]]. Coupled
with the fact that the priests who dealt with Becket's body found a hair
with the fact that the [[priest]]s who dealt with Becket's body found a hair
shirt underneath his finery, it was only a matter of time before Becket
[[shirt]] underneath his finery, it was only a matter of time before Becket
was made a [[saint]]. Canterbury later became a place of pilgrimage, as
was made a [[saint]]. Canterbury later became a place of [[pilgrimage]], as
made famous in the [[Canterbury Tales]].
made famous in the [[Canterbury Tales]].


He was voted as one of the worst Britons in history in a poll conducted in the UK in 2005 and 2006.
He was voted as one of the worst [[Britain|Britons]] in history in a poll conducted in the [[UK]] in [[2005]] and [[2006]].


[[Category:People (medieval)]]
[[Category:People (medieval)]]

Latest revision as of 13:02, 4 April 2006

Thomas Becket (also Thomas á Becket) was first a clerk then an archdeacon of Canterbury before Henry II ascended the throne in 1154. Becket seems to have had an immediate raport with the king who was fourteen years his junior. The two were almost constant companions and within a year Beckett became Henry's chancellor.

When Theobald, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died in 1161 Thomas Becket was elected to the post at Henry's urging. Signalling that he was to be no mere king's puppet Becket resigned his post as chancellor against Henry's wishes. A series of conflicts arose between the two, most notably the question of supremacy of the king's courts when dealing with the clergy. By 1163 their mutual hostility was open.

1164 saw the council of Clarendon, which was intended to establish a set of customs to settle church-state disputes. Its constitutions never received Thomas Becket's seal, and Becket was to strongly criticise them later. In October of that same year the two men had an angry confrontation in Northampton which led Becket to flee to France and spend six year in exile.

On his return to England in 1170, Becket delivered a provocative Christmas speech. When news of this reached the king he was furious. Four knights, who thought they understood the intent behind the king's ranting traveled to Kent and killed Becket.

His death was naturally considered a martyrdom by the church. Coupled with the fact that the priests who dealt with Becket's body found a hair shirt underneath his finery, it was only a matter of time before Becket was made a saint. Canterbury later became a place of pilgrimage, as made famous in the Canterbury Tales.

He was voted as one of the worst Britons in history in a poll conducted in the UK in 2005 and 2006.