Thomas a Becket was archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry II of England. As archbishop he clashed with the king over the rights of the church against the rights of the crown The conflict led to Thomas' death and made him one of the most famous of English martyrs.
Thomas was born in London, probably on December 21,1118. His father, a merchant, came from Normandy. While in his 20's Thomas entered the service of Theobald, who was then archbishop of Canterbury. In 1154 Thomas was appointed archdeacon of Canterbury. That same year 21-year-old Henry of Anjou came to the English throne as King Henry II. He made Thomas chancellor, or chief official. Thomas served the king faithfully and ably, and a warm friendship grew up between the 2 men. In 1162, after the death of Theobald, Henry offered Thomas the office of archbishop. He accepted reluctantly, fearing that the policies of the strong-willed king would conflict with his own views.
In 1164 the king had a document prepared known as the Constitutions of Clarendon. Its purpose was to restore some of the power of the crown, which had been weakened during the chaotic period before Henry came to the throne. Among other things, it provided that clergymen convicted of crimes by church courts were to be punished by civil courts. Previously, the church had both tried and punished its own member's. Thomas' refusal to sign the document infuriated the king, who had expected his old friend's help. Thomas fled to France. He continued to condemn the Constitutions as a violation of the rights of the church, and he excommunicated two bishops who supported Henry. Finally, in 1170, Thomas and the king were partly reconciled, and Thomas returned to England. But his refusal to lift the ban against the bishops angered the king again. On December 29, 1170, four of Henry's knights murdered Thomas in the cathedral at Canterbury.
Henry denied having ordered or wished Thomas' death. However, he did penance at Thomas' burial place in the cathedral, which at once became a shrine for pilgrims. In 1172 Thomas was made a saint.
Thomas was born in London, probably on December 21,1118. His father, a merchant, came from Normandy. While in his 20's Thomas entered the service of Theobald, who was then archbishop of Canterbury. In 1154 Thomas was appointed archdeacon of Canterbury. That same year 21-year-old Henry of Anjou came to the English throne as King Henry II. He made Thomas chancellor, or chief official. Thomas served the king faithfully and ably, and a warm friendship grew up between the 2 men. In 1162, after the death of Theobald, Henry offered Thomas the office of archbishop. He accepted reluctantly, fearing that the policies of the strong-willed king would conflict with his own views.
In 1164 the king had a document prepared known as the Constitutions of Clarendon. Its purpose was to restore some of the power of the crown, which had been weakened during the chaotic period before Henry came to the throne. Among other things, it provided that clergymen convicted of crimes by church courts were to be punished by civil courts. Previously, the church had both tried and punished its own member's. Thomas' refusal to sign the document infuriated the king, who had expected his old friend's help. Thomas fled to France. He continued to condemn the Constitutions as a violation of the rights of the church, and he excommunicated two bishops who supported Henry. Finally, in 1170, Thomas and the king were partly reconciled, and Thomas returned to England. But his refusal to lift the ban against the bishops angered the king again. On December 29, 1170, four of Henry's knights murdered Thomas in the cathedral at Canterbury.
Henry denied having ordered or wished Thomas' death. However, he did penance at Thomas' burial place in the cathedral, which at once became a shrine for pilgrims. In 1172 Thomas was made a saint.
