Thomas A Becket By: Courtnie Betteley

Becket’s life before his consecration: He received an excellent education at Merton Priory in England, studying “Civil and Canon Law.” He then continued his studies at University of Paris, in Bologna, and in Auxerre. After completing his studies, he attracted the attention of Theobald the Archbishop of Canterbury. Theobald sent him on many important missions to Rome. Theobald made Becket archdeacon of Canterbury, and he even recommended Becket to Henry II when he was looking for a new Chancellor (“Thomas Becket”).

Becket as Chancellor: Became Chancellor around the age of 36 His personality included him being a hardworker who had the best interest of the kingdom at heart (Thurston, Herbert). His job was to distribute royal charters, writs, and letters (Simkin, John). Becket enforced the Henry II’s danegeld taxes which is a land tax exacted from all landowners (“Thomas Becket”). Served as Chancellor for 8 years (“Thomas Becket”).

Becket’s relationship with Henry II before becoming Archbishop As Chancellor, Becket grew so close to Henry II. This caused people to claim it was as if “they had one heart and one mind because they saw eye to eye” They often acted as schoolboys, always telling jokes, hunting, and riding horses at the head of an army together (Thurston, Herbert). King Henry also trusted Thomas Becket enough to send his son to live with Becket. This was part of the custom to have noble children fostered out to other noble houses (“Thomas Becket”).

Henry Elected Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, but why? At this time, members of the church could choose to be tried for punishment at a church court instead of a royal court. The difference between the two courts, was that the church court gave much easier punishments. This made Henry feel like they were undermining his authority, and were causing England to become lawless. Henry wanted this to change, by giving himself more of a say in how churches punished offenders. By electing Becket as Archbishop, he hoped Becket would help him do just that by toughening up the sentences given by church courts (C N Trueman).

Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop Theobald died on April 18, 1161, which served as a prime time for Henry II to promote Becket to Archbishop. This would be an attempt to impose his will on the church Becket was consecrated on June 3, 1162. Becoming Archbishop caused his character to change. Before he was a merry person, but once he was Archbishop, he became completely devoted to the hierarchy, and defending it (“Thomas Becket”).

How else did Thomas Becket change once he became Archbishop Before: he was very materialistic,loving expensive food, clothes, and wine. People hated him from when he went against Louis VII, and because they feared he would work too close with Henry II, and not be an independent leader After: He began to show concern for the poor. He brought 13 poor people into his house everyday so he could wash their feet, feed them, and give them all four silver pennies. It is also believed Becket sent food and clothes to the sick. He wore the clothes of an Archbishop, but he always wore a tight hairshirt underneath. He chose to sleep on the cold stone, and he ate a very small diet with his drink of choice being water (Simkin, John).

The divide between Henry II and Thomas Becket 1164: first time people noticed a divide. Henry passed a law which stated any person found guilty in a church court would be punished in a royal court. Becket refused to agree to this and fled to safety because he knew he angered Henry II and made him feel betrayed. He returned six years later once he felt it was safe, but he quickly had a falling out with Henry II again. Becket asked the Pope to excommunicate the Archbishop of York who had taken sides with the King. This request made Henry II so furious that he cried out “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” (C N Trueman)

The Murder of Thomas Becket Four knights heard the King’s cry, and they sprung into action, sailing to England to rid the world of Becket once and for all The knights arrived on December 29, 1170, which caused Becket to flee to the cathedral even though there was a service in progress there. The knights finally found Becket at the altar, and started taking blows at him with swords until they split his skull (“The Murder of Thomas Becket”).

The aftermath 1173: Pope Alexander III canonized Becket He became a symbol of Christian resistance to the power of the monarchy Henry II admitted he never wanted Becket to be murdered, but he was sure that his words sparked the murder. July 12, 1174: due to his realization, Henry II did public penance. He walked barefoot and in a woolen smock to Becket’s tomb, where he was whipped by people of the church who were present (Simkin, John).

Sources C N Trueman. “Thomas Becket”. The History Learning Site, 2016, www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval-england/thomas-becket/ 2. Simkin, John. “Thomas Becket”. Spartacus Educational, Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd., 2014, spartacus-educational.com/NORbeckett.htm 3. “The Murder of Thomas Becket, 1170”. EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/becket.htm 4. “Thomas Becket”. New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia, 4 December 2015, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Thomas_Becket 5. Thurston, Herbert. “St. Thomas Becket”. The Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent, 2012, www.newadvent.org/cathen/14676a.htm

Picture Citations http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/File:StThomasEnthroned.jpg http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_66.html http://pacemstudio.com/drawings-of-the-saints/ http://feastssaintsmedievalchurch.blogspot.com/2012/12/st-thomas- becket-archpishop-of.html https://www.manorialcounselltd.co.uk/thomas-becket-henry-ii-turbulent- twosome/ https://alchetron.com/Thomas-Becket-821039-W http://www.laughinggif.com/gifs/fvxwmrqkrs