 starter activity Listen to the account of a murder. How similar is this fifteenth century image to the original 12 th century account?

Who was responsible for Becket’s death? To analyse reasons for differing accounts of Becket’s death To study the key events leading to his murder To produce an account of the death from a biased perspective  Aims

Henry & Becket as friends

1154 Henry becomes king 1154 Henry becomes king Becket becomes chancellor (chief adviser) Becket becomes chancellor (chief adviser) Work together to ensure country is run well and barons administer justice fairly Work together to ensure country is run well and barons administer justice fairly

Church courts

Church courts were being lenient towards priests and monks

Becket becomes archbishop

Becket becomes Archbishop Henry appoints Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1161 Henry appoints Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1161 Becket goes through a character transformation Becket goes through a character transformation He becomes pious and takes the job very seriously! He becomes pious and takes the job very seriously!

Constitutions of Clarendon

Henry passes a law, Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164 Church court cases must now be held in king’s courts Becket agrees, but then changes his mind

Becket flees the country

Realizing he is danger, Becket flees England Realizing he is danger, Becket flees England Seeks exile at Pontigny Abbey, France Seeks exile at Pontigny Abbey, France Henry is furious! Henry is furious!

Coronation of Henry’s son

Henry asks Archbishop of York to crown his son This was Becket’s job Becket is furious!

Reconciliation

Reconciliation Becket & Henry meet in France in July 1170 Becket & Henry meet in France in July 1170 Becket returns to England Becket returns to England Henry remains in Normandy to deal with matters in his lands Henry remains in Normandy to deal with matters in his lands

Becket breaks Henry’s trust

Within days of his return, Becket excommunicates all barons & bishops who had supported Henry Asks Pope to punish the Archbishop of York

Henry loses his patience

One bishop tells Henry, “While Thomas lives, you will not have peace and quiet, nor see good days” One bishop tells Henry, “While Thomas lives, you will not have peace and quiet, nor see good days” Henry cries out “Are you all cowards? Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” Henry cries out “Are you all cowards? Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?”

Four knights overhear Henry

Four knights, led by Reginald FitzUrse decide to speak to Becket on Henry’s behalf Henry sent a messenger, but he was too late!

 Your task Learn about the stormy relationship of Becket and Henry II. Work in groups of 4 or 5 maximum to recreate the events of their relationship using tableaux. You have 10 minutes to prepare and then you will perform your tableaux to the class and they must guess which part of the story is being represented. Role cards