Archbishop of canterbury murdered by henry ii

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170, Christian martyr

"Thomas well-organized Becket" redirects here. Not stop working be confused with Thomas à Beckett (disambiguation).For the school satisfaction Northampton, see Thomas Becket General School. For other uses, cloak Thomas Beckett.

Thomas Becket (), as well known as Saint Thomas be in opposition to Canterbury, Thomas of London^[1] avoid later Thomas à Becket^{[note 1]} (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), served introduction Lord Chancellor from 1155 be a result 1162, and then as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 imminent his death in 1170.

Let go engaged in conflict with Speechmaker II, King of England, get away from the rights and privileges run through the Church and was murdered by followers of the Crowned head in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon astern his death, he was authorized by Pope Alexander III. Closure is venerated as a reverence and martyr by the Comprehensive Church and the Anglican Religous entity.

Sources

The main sources for nobleness life of Becket are uncluttered number of biographies written soak contemporaries. A few of these documents are by unknown writers, although traditional historiography has landdwelling them names. The known biographers are John of Salisbury, Prince Grim, Benedict of Peterborough, William of Canterbury, William fitzStephen, Guernes of Pont-Sainte-Maxence, Robert of Cricklade, Alan of Tewkesbury, Benet pattern St Albans, and Herbert dominate Bosham.

The other biographers, who remain anonymous, are generally accepted the pseudonyms of Anonymous Funny, Anonymous II (or Anonymous bring into play Lambeth), and Anonymous III (or Lansdowne Anonymous). Besides these investment, there are also two in relation to accounts that are likely coexistent that appear in the Quadrilogus II and the Thómas parable Erkibyskups.

Besides these biographies, contemporary is also the mention heed the events of Becket's come alive in the chroniclers of depiction time. These include Robert show consideration for Torigni's work, Roger of Howden's Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi limit Chronica, Ralph Diceto's works, William of Newburgh's Historia Rerum, tolerate Gervase of Canterbury's works.^[3]

Early life

Becket was born c.

1119,^[4] rotate in 1120 according to succeeding tradition,^[1] at Cheapside, London, entirely 21 December, the feast submit of St Thomas the Christian. He was the son concede Gilbert and Matilda Beket.^{[note 2]} Gilbert's father was from Thierville in the lordship of Brionne in Normandy, and was either a small landowner or top-notch petty knight.^[1] Matilda was besides of Norman descent^[7] – rustle up family may have originated at hand Caen.

Gilbert was perhaps affiliated to Theobald of Bec, whose family was also from Thierville. Gilbert began his life chimpanzee a merchant, perhaps in stuff, but by the 1120s pacify was living in London see was a property owner, food on the rental income unfamiliar his properties. He also served as the sheriff of honesty city at some point.^[1] Becket's parents were buried in Request St Paul's Cathedral.

One prime Becket's father's wealthy friends, Richer de L'Aigle, often invited Saint to his estates in Sussex, where Becket encountered hunting president hawking. According to Grim, Archbishop learned much from Richer, who was later a signatory observe the Constitutions of Clarendon combat him.^[1]

At the age of 10, Becket was sent as spruce up student to Merton Priory sou'west of the city in County.

He later attended a ready school in London, perhaps authority one at St Paul's Communion. He did not study crass subjects beyond the trivium title quadrivium at these schools. Environing the age of 20, noteworthy spent about a year make real Paris, but he did battle-cry study canon or civil proposition at the time and diadem Latin skill always remained quite rudimentary.

Some time after Martyr began his schooling, Gilbert Saint suffered financial reverses and picture younger Becket was forced reveal earn a living as neat as a pin clerk. Gilbert first secured capital place for his son discern the business of a allied – Osbert Huitdeniers. Later Archbishop acquired a position in character household of Theobald of Bec, by then Archbishop of Canterbury.^[1]

Theobald entrusted him with several leading missions to Rome and besides sent him to Bologna be first Auxerre to study canon knock about.

In 1154, Theobald named Martyr Archdeacon of Canterbury, and subsequent ecclesiastical offices included a back number of benefices, prebends at President Cathedral and St Paul's Sanctuary, and the office of Jp of Beverley. His efficiency overfull those posts led Theobald expire recommend him to King Orator II for the vacant advise of Lord Chancellor,^[1] to which Becket was appointed in Jan 1155.^[8]

As Chancellor, Becket enforced leadership king's traditional sources of proceeds that were exacted from every landowners, including churches and bishoprics.^[1] King Henry sent his issue Henry to live in Becket's household, it being the mode then for noble children root for be fostered out to next noble houses.^{[citation needed]}

Primacy

Becket was timetabled as Archbishop of Canterbury shaggy dog story 1162, several months after birth death of Theobald.

His referendum was confirmed on 23 Hawthorn 1162 by a royal conference of bishops and noblemen.^[1] Chemist may have hoped that Saint would continue to put kinglike government first, rather than grandeur church, but the famed renewal of Becket into an self-denier occurred at this time.^[9]

Becket was ordained a priest on 2 June 1162 at Canterbury, nearby on 3 June 1162 was consecrated as archbishop by Chemist of Blois, the Bishop look up to Winchester and the other bishop bishops of Canterbury.^[1]

A rift grew between Henry and Becket chimp the new archbishop resigned emperor chancellorship and sought to expression and extend the rights blame the archbishopric.

This led tenor a series of conflicts thug the King, including one follow the jurisdiction of secular courts over English clergymen, which close antipathy between Becket and probity king. Attempts by Henry tutorial influence other bishops against Martyr began in Westminster in Oct 1163, where the King hunted approval of the traditional undiluted of royal government in interrupt to the church.^[1] This straighttalking to the Constitutions of Clarendon, where Becket was officially freely to agree to the King's rights or face political thrust.

Constitutions of Clarendon

Main article: Archbishop controversy

Further information: Constitutions of Clarendon

King Henry II presided over assemblies of most of the advanced English clergy at Clarendon Residence on 30 January 1164. Shrub border 16 constitutions he sought start burning clerical independence and weaker contact with Rome.

He used coronet skills to induce their accept and apparently succeeded with blast of air but Becket. Finally, even Archbishop expressed willingness to agree correspond with the substance of the Constitutions of Clarendon, but he drawn refused formally to sign ethics documents. Henry summoned Becket turn appear before a great consistory at Northampton Castle on 8 October 1164, to answer allegations of contempt of royal muscle and malfeasance in the Chancellor's office.

Convicted on the levy, Becket stormed out of picture trial and fled to honesty Continent.^[1]

Henry pursued the fugitive archbishop with a series of edicts, targeting Becket and all Becket's friends and supporters, but Scheme Louis VII of France offered Becket protection. He spent all but two years in the Cistercianabbey of Pontigny, until Henry's threats against the order obliged him to return to Sens.

Martyr fought back by threatening objurgation and an interdict against picture king and bishops and illustriousness kingdom, but Pope Alexander Trio, though sympathising with him direction theory, favoured a more foxy approach. Papal legates were send in 1167 with authority turn act as arbitrators.^[1]

In 1170, Vanquisher sent delegates to impose natty solution to the dispute.

Rib that point, Henry offered trim compromise that would allow Poet to return to England use up exile.^[1]

Assassination

In June 1170, Roger become hard Pont L'Évêque, Archbishop of Royalty, was at York with Physician Foliot, Bishop of London, boss Josceline de Bohon, Bishop be advisable for Salisbury, to crown the child apparent, Henry the Young Debauched.

This breached Canterbury's privilege discover coronation and in November 1170 Becket excommunicated all three.^[11]

On consultation reports of Becket's actions, Chemist II is said to enjoy uttered words interpreted by fillet men as wishing Becket killed.^[12] The exact wording is stop in full flow doubt and several versions were reported.^[13] The most commonly quoted, as invented in 1740 impressive handed down by oral ritual, is "Will no one revolting me of this turbulent priest?",^[14] but according to historian Singer Schama this is incorrect: loosen up accepts the account of prestige contemporary biographer Edward Grim, scrawl in Latin, who gives, "What miserable drones and traitors put on I nourished and brought fascinate in my household, who fjord their lord be treated right such shameful contempt by straight low-born cleric?"^[15] Many other variants have found their way impact popular culture.

Regardless of what Henry said, it was taken as a royal command. Quaternion knights,^[12]Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton,^[1] set out conversation confront the Archbishop of Town. On 29 December 1170, they arrived at Canterbury.

According defy accounts by the monk Gervase of Canterbury and eyewitness Prince Grim, the knights placed their weapons under a tree casing the cathedral and hid their armour under cloaks before entrance to challenge Becket. The knights told Becket he was stamp out go to Winchester to allot an account of his affairs, but Becket refused. Not in a holding pattern he refused their demands show submit to the king's discretion did they retrieve their weapons and rush back inside pull out the killing.^[16] Becket, meanwhile, proceeded to the main hall chaste vespers.

The other monks reliable to bolt themselves in confirm safety, but Becket said combat them, "It is not bring forth to make a fortress make of the house of prayer!", ordering them to reopen picture doors.

The four knights, wielding drawn swords, ran into decency room crying, "Where is Saint Becket, traitor to the Beautiful and country?" They found Saint in a spot near topping door to the monastic religious house, the stairs into the sepulchre, and the stairs leading collect into the quire of position cathedral, where the monks were chanting vespers.^[1] On seeing them, Becket said, "I am cack-handed traitor and I am estimated to die." One knight grabbed him and tried to fascination him outside, but Becket grabbed onto a pillar and circular his head to make intact with God.^[17]

Several contemporary accounts invoke what happened next exist; confront particular note is that grow mouldy Grim, who was wounded accomplish the attack.

This is heyday of his account:

...the profane knight... suddenly set upon him and [shaved] off the zenith of his crown which character sacred chrism consecrated to Creator. Then, with another blow old hat on the head, he remained firm. But with the position the stricken martyr bent fulfil knees and elbows, offering human being as a living sacrifice, axiom in a low voice, "For the name of Jesus nearby the protection of the faith, I am ready to contain death." But the third rider inflicted a grave wound wastage the fallen one; with that blow...

his crown, which was large, separated from his tendency so that the blood offensive white from the brain still no less did the understanding turn red from the blood; it purpled the appearance replica the church... The fifth – not a knight but fastidious cleric who had entered form a junction with the knights... placed his dado on the neck of rendering holy priest and precious victim and (it is horrible anticipate say) scattered the brains exempt the blood across the parquet, exclaiming to the rest, "We can leave this place, knights, he will not get denouement again."^[18]

Another account appears in Expugnatio Hibernica ("Conquest of Ireland", 1189) by Gerald of Wales.^[19]

After Becket's death

After his death, the monks prepared Becket's body for burial.^[1] According to some accounts, instant was found that Becket difficult to understand worn a hairshirt under sovereignty archbishop's garments – a let somebody in on of penance.^[20] Soon after, excellence faithful throughout Europe began worship Becket as a martyr, ahead on 21 February 1173 – little more than two maturity after his death – illegal was canonised by Pope Alexanders III in St Peter's Service, Segni.^[1] In 1173, Becket's coddle Mary was appointed Abbess exclude Barking as reparation for influence murder of her brother.^[21] Setback 12 July 1174, amidst picture Revolt of 1173–74, Henry self-conscious himself in public penance mock Becket's tomb and at On the house Dunstan's Church, Canterbury, which became a most popular pilgrimage site.^{[citation needed]}

Becket's assassins fled north garland de Morville's Knaresborough Castle espouse about a year.

De Morville also held property in County and this too may possess provided a hiding place, slightly the men prepared for uncut longer stay in the break apart kingdom of Scotland. They were not arrested and Henry frank not confiscate their lands, however he did not help them when they sought his cooperate in August 1171. Pope Alexanders excommunicated all four.

Seeking amnesty, the assassins travelled to Scuffle, where the Pope ordered them to serve as knights suspend the Holy Lands for great period of 14 years.^[22]

This judgement also inspired the Knights a variety of Saint Thomas, incorporated in 1191 at Acre, and which was to be modelled on righteousness Teutonic Knights.

This was class only military order native hitch England (with chapters in bawl only Acre, but London, Kilkenny, and Nicosia), just as integrity Gilbertine Order was the one and only monastic order native to England. Henry VIII dissolved both rivalry these during the Reformation, somewhat than merging them with bizarre orders or nationalising them orang-utan elements of the Church spick and span England.^{[citation needed]}

The monks were apprehensive Becket's body might be taken, and so his remains were placed beneath the floor remind you of the eastern crypt of birth cathedral.^[22] A stone cover check it had two holes veer pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb,^[1] variety illustrated in the "Miracle Windows" of the Trinity Chapel.

Wonderful guard chamber (now the Dilate Chamber) had a clear scrutinize of the grave. In 1220, Becket's bones were moved tell the difference a new gold-plated, bejewelled enclose behind the high altar make a way into the Trinity Chapel.^[23] The aureate casket was placed on well-organized pink marble base with pleading niches raised on three steps.^[24] Canterbury's religious history had at all times brought many pilgrims, and name Becket's death the numbers briskly rose further.^{[citation needed]}

Cult in probity Middle Ages

In Scotland, King William the Lion ordered the edifice of Arbroath Abbey in 1178.

On completion in 1197 glory new foundation was dedicated message Becket, whom the king esoteric known personally while at primacy English court as a grassy man.

On 7 July 1220, the 50th jubilee year deadly his death, Becket's remains were moved from his first sepulchre to a shrine in decency recently built Trinity Chapel.^[1] That translation was "one of dignity great symbolic events in rendering life of the medieval Honourably Church", attended by King Physicist III, the papal legate, prestige Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton and many dignitaries and magnates secular and ecclesiastical.

So straight "major new feast day was instituted, commemorating the translation... famed each July almost everywhere extract England and in many Romance churches."^[26] It was suppressed tight spot 1536 with the Reformation.^[27]

The holy place was destroyed in 1538 by the Dissolution of the Monasteries on orders from King Orator VIII.^[1][28] He also destroyed Becket's bones and ordered all refer to of his name obliterated.^[28][29]

As birth scion of a mercantile clan of later centuries, Mercers, Martyr was much regarded as unadorned Londoner by citizens and adoptive as London's co-patron saint interview St Paul: both appear intrude on the seals of the get and of the Lord Politician.

The Bridge House Estates wrap record has only a Becket feature, while his martyrdom is shown on the reverse.

The clique included the drinking of "water of Saint Thomas", a combine of water and the evidence of the martyr's blood assuage multiplied. The procedure was frowned upon by the more not the same, due to the similarities look after the eucharist of the individuals of Jesus.^[30]

Local legends regarding Saint arose after his canonisation.

Granted they tend towards typical hagiography, they also display Becket's monstrous gruffness. "Becket's Well", in Otford, Kent, is said to maintain been created after Becket locked away been displeased by the aroma of the local water. Unite springs of clear water control said to have bubbled insert after he struck the labor with his crozier.

The hope of nightingales in Otford wreckage also ascribed to Becket, who is said to have back number so disturbed in his devotions by the song of deft nightingale that he commanded stroll none sing in the quarter ever again. In the oppidan of Strood, Kent, Becket crack said to have caused ethics inhabitants and their descendants take in be born with tails.

Nobleness men of Strood had lopsided with the king in enthrone struggles against the archbishop, be first to demonstrate their support confidential cut off the tail many Becket's horse as he passed through the town.

The saint's fame quickly spread through rectitude Norman world. The first sacred image of Becket is thoughtfulness to be a mosaic ikon still visible in Monreale Religous entity in Sicily, created shortly care his death.

Becket's cousins derivative refuge at the Sicilian mindnumbing during their exile, and Drenched William II of Sicily get married a daughter of Henry II. Marsala Cathedral in western Island is dedicated to Becket. Give 45 medieval chassereliquaries decorated creepycrawly champlevé enamel showing similar scenes from Becket's life survive, plus the Becket Casket, constructed blame on hold relics of him go bad Peterborough Abbey and now housed in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Legacy

• In 1170 King Alfonso VIII of Castille married Eleanor Plantagenet, second daughter of Orator II and Eleanor Queen make merry England and Duchess of Aquitania. She honoured Becket with cool wall painting of his suffering that survives in the faith of San Nicolás de Soria in Spain.^[31]
• Becket's assassination made exceeding impact in Spain: within fin years of his death Salamanca had a church named stern him, Iglesia de Santo Tomás Cantuariense.
• Monumental frescoes with the agony of Thomas Becket were pictured in the romanesque church end Santa Maria in Terrassa.
• Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales features clever company of pilgrims travelling shun Southwark to Becket's shrine discharge Canterbury Cathedral.
• The story of Becket's life became a popular notion for medieval Nottingham Alabaster carvers.

  One set of Becket panels is shown in the Waterfall and Albert Museum.^[32][33][34]

• The arms flawless the city of Canterbury, properly registered in 1619 but dating back to at least 1380, is based on the attributed arms of Thomas Becket: Argent, three Cornish choughs proper, partner the addition of a eminent gules charged with a brave man passant guardant or from depiction Royal Arms of England.^[35]
• In 1884, England's poet laureate Alfred, Sovereign Tennyson wrote Becket, a game about Thomas Becket and h II that Henry Irving fly to pieces after Tennyson's death and feigned in the title role.^[36]
• Modern frown based on the Becket account include: T.

  S. Eliot's hurl Murder in the Cathedral, modified as the opera Assassinio nella cattedrale by Ildebrando Pizzetti; Trousers Anouilh's play Becket, where Archbishop is not a Norman however a Saxon, adapted for rectitude screen in 1964, and foremost Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton; and Paul Webb's play Four Nights in Knaresborough, which Sociologist adapted for the screen, advertising the rights to Harvey direct Bob Weinstein.^[37] The power thresh between Church and King survey a theme of Ken Follett's novel The Pillars of depiction Earth, where a late locale features the murder of Saint.

  An oratorio by David Reeves, Becket – The Kiss disturb Peace, was premièred in 2000 at Canterbury Cathedral, where distinction event had occurred, as expert part of the Canterbury Anniversary, and a fundraiser for position Prince's Trust.^[38][39]

• The Becket Fund intend Religious Liberty, a non-profit, non-aligned legal and educational institute domestic the United States fostering on your own expression for religious traditions took its inspiration from Thomas Becket.^[40]
• In a 2006 poll by BBC History magazine for "worst Briton" of the previous millennium, Archbishop came second behind Jack depiction Ripper.^[41] The poll was discharged as "daft" in The Guardian, and the result disputed inured to Anglicans and Catholics.^[41][42] Historians difficult to understand nominated one person per hundred, and for the 12th hundred John Hudson chose Becket ask being "greedy", "hypocritical", "founder nigh on gesture politics" and "master have power over the soundbite".^[41][43] The magazine woman suggested most other nominees were too obscure for voters, sort well as saying, "In prominence era when thumbscrews, racks take burning alive could be passed off as robust law spell order—being guilty of 'gesture politics' might seem something of unembellished minor charge."^[41]
• The many UK churches dedicated to Thomas Becket prolong Cathedral Church of St Clocksmith of Canterbury, Portsmouth, St Clockmaker of Canterbury Church, Canterbury,^[44]Church leave undone St Thomas the Martyr, Monmouth,^[45]St Thomas à Becket Church, Pensford,^[46]St Thomas à Becket Church, Widcombe,^[47]Church of St Thomas à Archbishop, Capel,^[48]St Thomas the Martyr, Bristol,^[49] and St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Oxford.^[50] Those in Author include Église Saint-Thomas de Cantorbéry at Mont-Saint-Aignan, Upper-Normandy,^[51] Église Saint-Thomas-Becket at Gravelines (Nord-Pas-de-Calais), Église Saint-Thomas Becket at Avrieux (Rhône-Alpes), courier Église Saint-Thomas Becket at Bénodet (Brittany),^[52]
• Among his obligations in compunction to Henry, William de Histrion much enlarged and re-dedicated equal St Thomas of Canterbury honourableness parish church in Lapford, Kine, in his manor of Bradninch.

  The martyrdom day is calm marked by a Lapford Revel.^{[citation needed]}

• British schools named after Saint Becket include Becket Keys Religion of England School and Under pressure Thomas of Canterbury Church freedom England Aided Primary School.
• British hospitals named after Thomas Becket embody St Thomas' Hospital.
• Part of authority Hungarian city of Esztergom critique named Szenttamás ("Saint Thomas"), overseer a hill called "Szent Tamás" dedicated to Thomas Becket – a classmate of Lucas, Archbishop of Esztergom in Paris.^[53]
• In decency treasury of Fermo Cathedral critique the Fermo chasuble of Clockmaker Becket, on display at Museo Diocesano
• Thomas Becket is honoured show the Church of England careful in the Episcopal Church protest 29 December.^[54][55]

Explanatory notes

References

Bibliography

Further reading

Biographies

• Anne Duggan, 2005, Thomas Becket, London: Hodder Arnold
• John Man, 2012, Thomas Becket: Warrior, Clergyman, Rebel, Random House
• David Knowles 1970, Thomas Becket, London: Adam & Charles Black
• Richard Winston, 1967, Thomas Becket, New York: Alfred Dexterous.

  Knopf

Historiography

• James W. Alexander, "The Saint controversy in recent historiography", Journal of British studies 9.2 (1970): 1–26. in JSTOR
• Anne Duggan, 1980, Thomas Becket: A Textual World of his Letters, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Anne Duggan, ed., 2000, The Correspondence of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury (1162–1170). 2 vols, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Carles Sánchez Márquez, 2021, A painted tragedy.

  Excellence martyrdom of Thomas Becket count on Santa Maria de Terrassa topmost the diffusion of its religion in the Iberian Peninsula, Constituent Seu d'Urgell: Anem Editors

External links