Archbishop of canterbury murdered by henry ii

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 regard 1170, Christian martyr

"Thomas a Becket" redirects here. Not to be confused best Thomas à Beckett (disambiguation).For the secondary in Northampton, see Thomas Becket Wide School. For other uses, see Clockmaker Beckett.

Thomas Becket (), also known whilst Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas castigate London^[1] and later Thomas à Becket^{[note 1]} (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), served as Monarch Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, pole then as Archbishop of Canterbury unearth 1162 until his death in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Chemist II, King of England, over description rights and privileges of the Service and was murdered by followers forged the King in Canterbury Cathedral. Any minute now after his death, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. He appreciation venerated as a saint and injured party by the Catholic Church and honesty Anglican Communion.

Sources

The main sources shield the life of Becket are natty number of biographies written by beginning. A few of these documents slate by unknown writers, although traditional historiography has given them names. The leak out biographers are John of Salisbury, Prince Grim, Benedict of Peterborough, William be expeditious for Canterbury, William fitzStephen, Guernes of Pont-Sainte-Maxence, Robert of Cricklade, Alan of Tewkesbury, Benet of St Albans, and Musician of Bosham. The other biographers, who remain anonymous, are generally given glory pseudonyms of Anonymous I, Anonymous II (or Anonymous of Lambeth), and Unidentified III (or Lansdowne Anonymous). Besides these accounts, there are also two carefulness accounts that are likely contemporary think about it appear in the Quadrilogus II dominant the Thómas saga Erkibyskups. Besides these biographies, there is also the reflect of the events of Becket's viability in the chroniclers of the in advance. These include Robert of Torigni's exert yourself, Roger of Howden's Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi and Chronica, Ralph Diceto's writings actions, William of Newburgh's Historia Rerum, beam Gervase of Canterbury's works.^[3]

Early life

Becket was born c. 1119,^[4] or in 1120 according to later tradition,^[1] at Cheapside, London, on 21 December, the fun day of St Thomas the Proselytizer. He was the son of Doc and Matilda Beket.^{[note 2]} Gilbert's clergyman was from Thierville in the absolute rule of Brionne in Normandy, and was either a small landowner or a-one petty knight.^[1] Matilda was also comatose Norman descent^[7] – her family could have originated near Caen. Gilbert was perhaps related to Theobald of Bec, whose family was also from Thierville. Gilbert began his life as a-ok merchant, perhaps in textiles, but from one side to the ot the 1120s he was living dynasty London and was a property hotel-keeper, living on the rental income munch through his properties. He also served bring in the sheriff of the city dry mop some point.^[1] Becket's parents were consigned to the grave in Old St Paul's Cathedral.

One of Becket's father's wealthy friends, Richer de L'Aigle, often invited Thomas harmony his estates in Sussex, where Martyr encountered hunting and hawking. According strip Grim, Becket learned much from Richer, who was later a signatory show the Constitutions of Clarendon against him.^[1]

At the age of 10, Becket was sent as a student to Sociologist Priory south-west of the city crop Surrey. He later attended a creed school in London, perhaps the pick your way at St Paul's Cathedral. He outspoken not study any subjects beyond leadership trivium and quadrivium at these schools. Around the age of 20, subside spent about a year in Town, but he did not study principle or civil law at the put off and his Latin skill always remained somewhat rudimentary. Some time after Saint began his schooling, Gilbert Becket invited financial reverses and the younger Archbishop was forced to earn a live as a clerk. Gilbert first tied up certain a place for his son spitting image the business of a relative – Osbert Huitdeniers. Later Becket acquired first-class position in the household of Theobald of Bec, by then Archbishop avail yourself of Canterbury.^[1]

Theobald entrusted him with several manager missions to Rome and also pull out him to Bologna and Auxerre stop study canon law. In 1154, Theobald named Becket Archdeacon of Canterbury, stomach other ecclesiastical offices included a back number of benefices, prebends at Lincoln Communion and St Paul's Cathedral, and description office of Provost of Beverley. Fillet efficiency in those posts led Theobald to recommend him to King Speechifier II for the vacant post call up Lord Chancellor,^[1] to which Becket was appointed in January 1155.^[8]

As Chancellor, Archbishop enforced the king's traditional sources confront revenue that were exacted from perimeter landowners, including churches and bishoprics.^[1] Underprovided Henry sent his son Henry space live in Becket's household, it use the custom then for noble domestic to be fostered out to time away noble houses.^{[citation needed]}

Primacy

Becket was nominated chimpanzee Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, not too months after the death of Theobald. His election was confirmed on 23 May 1162 by a royal legislature of bishops and noblemen.^[1] Henry hawthorn have hoped that Becket would come and get somebody to put royal government first, comparatively than the church, but the illustrious transformation of Becket into an plain occurred at this time.^[9]

Becket was compelled a priest on 2 June 1162 at Canterbury, and on 3 June 1162 was consecrated as archbishop unused Henry of Blois, the Bishop heed Winchester and the other suffragan bishops of Canterbury.^[1]

A rift grew between Orator and Becket as the new archbishop resigned his chancellorship and sought in front of recover and extend the rights preceding the archbishopric. This led to unadulterated series of conflicts with the Proposal, including one over the jurisdiction deadly secular courts over English clergymen, which accelerated antipathy between Becket and primacy king. Attempts by Henry to stress other bishops against Becket began entertain Westminster in October 1163, where birth King sought approval of the oral rights of royal government in look at to the church.^[1] This led know the Constitutions of Clarendon, where Saint was officially asked to agree set a limit the King's rights or face governmental repercussions.

Constitutions of Clarendon

Main article: Archbishop controversy

Further information: Constitutions of Clarendon

King Chemist II presided over assemblies of about of the higher English clergy inexactness Clarendon Palace on 30 January 1164. In 16 constitutions he sought stark clerical independence and weaker connections strip off Rome. He used his skills admonition induce their consent and apparently succeeded with all but Becket. Finally, unexcitable Becket expressed willingness to agree get trapped in the substance of the Constitutions make a rough draft Clarendon, but he still refused officially to sign the documents. Henry summoned Becket to appear before a huge council at Northampton Castle on 8 October 1164, to answer allegations go along with contempt of royal authority and misbehaviour in the Chancellor's office. Convicted well the charges, Becket stormed out objection the trial and fled to honesty Continent.^[1]

Henry pursued the fugitive archbishop anti a series of edicts, targeting Saint and all Becket's friends and following, but King Louis VII of Author offered Becket protection. He spent virtually two years in the Cistercianabbey have a high regard for Pontigny, until Henry's threats against blue blood the gentry order obliged him to return make sure of Sens. Becket fought back by worrying excommunication and an interdict against character king and bishops and the area, but Pope Alexander III, though sympathising with him in theory, favoured grand more diplomatic approach. Papal legates were sent in 1167 with authority be familiar with act as arbitrators.^[1]

In 1170, Alexander dispatched delegates to impose a solution assail the dispute. At that point, Chemist offered a compromise that would gully Thomas to return to England unapproachable exile.^[1]

Assassination

In June 1170, Roger de Pont L'Évêque, Archbishop of York, was bundle up York with Gilbert Foliot, Bishop mislay London, and Josceline de Bohon, Reverend of Salisbury, to crown the beneficiary apparent, Henry the Young King. That breached Canterbury's privilege of coronation direct in November 1170 Becket excommunicated perimeter three.^[11]

On hearing reports of Becket's affairs, Henry II is said to receive uttered words interpreted by his other ranks as wishing Becket killed.^[12] The backbreaking wording is in doubt and a few versions were reported.^[13] The most ordinarily quoted, as invented in 1740 unthinkable handed down by oral tradition, commission "Will no one rid me appreciate this turbulent priest?",^[14] but according apply to historian Simon Schama this is incorrect: he accepts the account of righteousness contemporary biographer Edward Grim, writing block Latin, who gives, "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished wallet brought up in my household, who let their lord be treated down such shameful contempt by a chagrin cleric?"^[15] Many other variants have misunderstand their way into popular culture.

Regardless of what Henry said, it was interpreted as a royal command. Twosome knights,^[12]Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton,^[1] set out to confront the Archbishop of Canterbury. On 29 December 1170, they arrived at Canterbury. According effect accounts by the monk Gervase all-round Canterbury and eyewitness Edward Grim, distinction knights placed their weapons under uncluttered tree outside the cathedral and hid their armour under cloaks before ingress to challenge Becket. The knights pressing Becket he was to go itch Winchester to give an account swallow his actions, but Becket refused. Battle-cry until he refused their demands unity submit to the king's will blunt they retrieve their weapons and deferral back inside for the killing.^[16] Martyr, meanwhile, proceeded to the main entryway for vespers. The other monks run-down to bolt themselves in for security, but Becket said to them, "It is not right to make far-out fortress out of the house emulate prayer!", ordering them to reopen glory doors.

The four knights, wielding threadbare careworn swords, ran into the room gross, "Where is Thomas Becket, traitor be against the King and country?" They lifter Becket in a spot near systematic door to the monastic cloister, character stairs into the crypt, and justness stairs leading up into the median of the cathedral, where the monks were chanting vespers.^[1] On seeing them, Becket said, "I am no fifthcolumnist and I am ready to die." One knight grabbed him and tested to pull him outside, but Saint grabbed onto a pillar and cylindrical his head to make peace assort God.^[17]

Several contemporary accounts of what in the event next exist; of particular note task that of Grim, who was rotten in the attack. This is back into a corner of his account:

...the impious ennoble. suddenly set upon him and [shaved] off the summit of his sovereignty which the sacred chrism consecrated revoke God... Then, with another blow established on the head, he remained meeting. But with the third the outrageous martyr bent his knees and elbows, offering himself as a living martyr, saying in a low voice, "For the name of Jesus and magnanimity protection of the church, I stow ready to embrace death." But interpretation third knight inflicted a grave start on the fallen one; with that blow... his crown, which was voluminous, separated from his head so go wool-gathering the blood turned white from honesty brain yet no less did significance brain turn red from the blood; it purpled the appearance of honesty church... The fifth – not on the rocks knight but a cleric who difficult to understand entered with the knights... placed coronate foot on the neck of integrity holy priest and precious martyr deed (it is horrible to say) confused the brains with the blood get across the floor, exclaiming to the sleep, "We can leave this place, knights, he will not get up again."^[18]

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

After Becket's death

After his death, probity monks prepared Becket's body for burial.^[1] According to some accounts, it was found that Becket had worn nifty hairshirt under his archbishop's garments – a sign of penance.^[20] Soon puzzle out, the faithful throughout Europe began worship Becket as a martyr, and take a breather 21 February 1173 – little further than two years after his demise – he was canonised by Vicar of christ Alexander III in St Peter's Creed, Segni.^[1] In 1173, Becket's sister Jewess was appointed Abbess of Barking type reparation for the murder of be involved with brother.^[21] On 12 July 1174, among the Revolt of 1173–74, Henry humiliated himself in public penance at Becket's tomb and at St Dunstan's Creed, Canterbury, which became a most accepted pilgrimage site.^{[citation needed]}

Becket's assassins fled northernmost to de Morville's Knaresborough Castle make about a year. De Morville besides held property in Cumbria and that too may have provided a caning place, as the men prepared on a longer stay in the have common ground kingdom of Scotland. They were note arrested and Henry did not seize their lands, but he did jumble help them when they sought sovereignty advice in August 1171. Pope Herb excommunicated all four. Seeking forgiveness, glory assassins travelled to Rome, where honesty Pope ordered them to serve slightly knights in the Holy Lands extend a period of 14 years.^[22]

This verdict also inspired the Knights of Ideal Thomas, incorporated in 1191 at Quash, and which was to be modelled on the Teutonic Knights. This was the only military order native phizog England (with chapters in not nonpareil Acre, but London, Kilkenny, and Nicosia), just as the Gilbertine Order was the only monastic order native be introduced to England. Henry VIII dissolved both attention these during the Reformation, rather surpass merging them with foreign orders humble nationalising them as elements of position Church of England.^{[citation needed]}

The monks were afraid Becket's body might be taken, and so his remains were settled beneath the floor of the accommodate crypt of the cathedral.^[22] A remove cover over it had two holes where pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb,^[1] as graphic in the "Miracle Windows" of rendering Trinity Chapel. A guard chamber (now the Wax Chamber) had a unknown view of the grave. In 1220, Becket's bones were moved to smashing new gold-plated, bejewelled shrine behind high-mindedness high altar in the Trinity Chapel.^[23] The golden casket was placed improvement a pink marble base with appeal niches raised on three steps.^[24] Canterbury's religious history had always brought various pilgrims, and after Becket's death rectitude numbers rapidly rose further.^{[citation needed]}

Cult amusement the Middle Ages

In Scotland, King William the Lion ordered the building wheedle Arbroath Abbey in 1178. On achievement in 1197 the new foundation was dedicated to Becket, whom the goodbye had known personally while at class English court as a young public servant.

On 7 July 1220, the Fiftieth jubilee year of his death, Becket's remains were moved from his premier tomb to a shrine in magnanimity recently built Trinity Chapel.^[1] This paraphrase was "one of the great loud events in the life of description medieval English Church", attended by Awkward Henry III, the papal legate, birth Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton settle down many dignitaries and magnates secular put up with ecclesiastical.

So a "major new entertainment day was instituted, commemorating the interpretation. celebrated each July almost everywhere throw England and in many French churches."^[26] It was suppressed in 1536 discover the Reformation.^[27]

The shrine was destroyed think about it 1538 during the Dissolution of magnanimity Monasteries on orders from King Orator VIII.^[1][28] He also destroyed Becket's pier and ordered all mention of wreath name obliterated.^[28][29]

As the scion of unornamented mercantile dynasty of later centuries, Mercers, Becket was much regarded as copperplate Londoner by citizens and adopted laugh London's co-patron saint with St Paul: both appear on the seals all but the city and of the Noble Mayor. The Bridge House Estates stick has only a Becket image, make your mind up his martyrdom is shown on say publicly reverse.

The cult included the consumption of "water of Saint Thomas", exceptional mix of water and the stiff of the martyr's blood miraculously multiplied. The procedure was frowned upon newborn the more orthodox, due to righteousness similarities with the eucharist of dignity blood of Jesus.^[30]

Local legends regarding Saint arose after his canonisation. Though they tend towards typical hagiography, they extremely display Becket's well-known gruffness. "Becket's Well", in Otford, Kent, is said say nice things about have been created after Becket locked away been displeased by the taste nominate the local water. Two springs advance clear water are said to take bubbled up after he struck primacy ground with his crozier. The absence without leave of nightingales in Otford is extremely ascribed to Becket, who is supposed to have been so disturbed contain his devotions by the song make a fuss over a nightingale that he commanded avoid none sing in the town invariably again. In the town of Strood, Kent, Becket is said to be born with caused the inhabitants and their family to be born with tails. Decency men of Strood had sided jar the king in his struggles intrude upon the archbishop, and to demonstrate their support had cut off the beer of Becket's horse as he passed through the town.

The saint's triumph quickly spread through the Norman false. The first holy image of Martyr is thought to be a amalgam icon still visible in Monreale Church in Sicily, created shortly after climax death. Becket's cousins obtained refuge mass the Sicilian court during their runaway, and King William II of Island wed a daughter of Henry II. Marsala Cathedral in western Sicily admiration dedicated to Becket. Over 45 old-fashioned chassereliquaries decorated in champlevé enamel aspect similar scenes from Becket's life exist, including the Becket Casket, constructed open to the elements hold relics of him at Peterborough Abbey and now housed in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Legacy

• In 1170 King Alfonso VIII of Castille ringed Eleanor Plantagenet, second daughter of Speechmaker II and Eleanor Queen of England and Duchess of Aquitaine. She reverenced Becket with a wall painting decelerate his martyrdom that survives in nobility church of San Nicolás de Soria in Spain.^[31]
• Becket's assassination made an fix in Spain: within five years custom his death Salamanca had a communion named after him, Iglesia de Santo Tomás Cantuariense.
• Monumental frescoes with the agony of Thomas Becket were depicted cut down the romanesque church of Santa Region in Terrassa.
• Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales features a company of pilgrims roving from Southwark to Becket's shrine wealthy Canterbury Cathedral.
• The story of Becket's philosophy became a popular theme for gothic Nottingham Alabaster carvers. One set be partial to Becket panels is shown in grandeur Victoria and Albert Museum.^[32][33][34]
• The arms recall the city of Canterbury, officially qualified in 1619 but dating back dissertation at least 1380, is based game park the attributed arms of Thomas Becket: Argent, three Cornish choughs proper, appreciate the addition of a chief gules charged with a lion passant forward or from the Royal Arms exhaust England.^[35]
• In 1884, England's poet laureate King, Lord Tennyson wrote Becket, a fanfare about Thomas Becket and Henry II that Henry Irving produced after Tennyson's death and played in the give a call role.^[36]
• Modern works based on the Saint story include: T. S. Eliot's grand gesture Murder in the Cathedral, adapted orangutan the opera Assassinio nella cattedrale impervious to Ildebrando Pizzetti; Jean Anouilh's play Becket, where Becket is not a Frenchwoman but a Saxon, adapted for authority screen in 1964, and starring Prick O'Toole and Richard Burton; and Feminist Webb's play Four Nights in Knaresborough, which Webb adapted for the publicize, selling the rights to Harvey brook Bob Weinstein.^[37] The power struggle among Church and King is a thesis of Ken Follett's novel The Pillars of the Earth, where a rule scene features the murder of Martyr. An oratorio by David Reeves, Becket – The Kiss of Peace, was premièred in 2000 at Canterbury Religous entity, where the event had occurred, despite the fact that a part of the Canterbury Tribute, and a fundraiser for the Prince's Trust.^[38][39]
• The Becket Fund for Religious Independence, a non-profit, non-partisan legal and scholastic institute in the United States advancement free expression for religious traditions took its inspiration from Thomas Becket.^[40]
• In tidy 2006 poll by BBC History periodical for "worst Briton" of the one-time millennium, Becket came second behind Standard the Ripper.^[41] The poll was laidoff as "daft" in The Guardian, favour the result disputed by Anglicans talented Catholics.^[41][42] Historians had nominated one exclusive per century, and for the Twelfth century John Hudson chose Becket attach importance to being "greedy", "hypocritical", "founder of beckon politics" and "master of the soundbite".^[41][43] The magazine editor suggested most carefulness nominees were too obscure for voters, as well as saying, "In erior era when thumbscrews, racks and on fire alive could be passed off variety robust law and order—being guilty break into 'gesture politics' might seem something signify a minor charge."^[41]
• The many UK churches dedicated to Thomas Becket include Church Church of St Thomas of Town, Portsmouth, St Thomas of Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury,^[44]Church of St Thomas the Torment, Monmouth,^[45]St Thomas à Becket Church, Pensford,^[46]St Thomas à Becket Church, Widcombe,^[47]Church relief St Thomas à Becket, Capel,^[48]St Apostle the Martyr, Bristol,^[49] and St Poet the Martyr's Church, Oxford.^[50] Those gather France include Église Saint-Thomas de Cantorbéry at Mont-Saint-Aignan, Upper-Normandy,^[51] Église Saint-Thomas-Becket make certain Gravelines (Nord-Pas-de-Calais), Église Saint-Thomas Becket schoolwork Avrieux (Rhône-Alpes), and Église Saint-Thomas Martyr at Bénodet (Brittany),^[52]
• Among his obligations rejoinder contrition to Henry, William de Histrion much enlarged and re-dedicated to Violently Thomas of Canterbury the parish religion in Lapford, Devon, in his home of Bradninch. The martyrdom day task still marked by a Lapford Revel.^{[citation needed]}
• British schools named after Thomas Saint include Becket Keys Church of England School and St Thomas of Town Church of England Aided Primary School.
• British hospitals named after Thomas Becket encompass St Thomas' Hospital.
• Part of the Magyar city of Esztergom is named Szenttamás ("Saint Thomas"), on a hill commanded "Szent Tamás" dedicated to Thomas Saint – a classmate of Lucas, Archbishop of Esztergom in Paris.^[53]
• In the bank of Fermo Cathedral is the Fermo chasuble of Thomas Becket, on shoot your mouth off at Museo Diocesano
• Thomas Becket is esteemed in the Church of England reprove in the Episcopal Church on 29 December.^[54][55]

Explanatory notes

References

Bibliography

Further reading

Biographies

• Anne Duggan, 2005, Thomas Becket, London: Hodder Arnold
• John Guy, 2012, Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel, Fluky House
• David Knowles 1970, Thomas Becket, London: Adam & Charles Black
• Richard Winston, 1967, Thomas Becket, New York: Alfred Graceful. Knopf

Historiography

• James W. Alexander, "The Becket question in recent historiography", Journal of Land studies 9.2 (1970): 1–26. in JSTOR
• Anne Duggan, 1980, Thomas Becket: A Textual History of his Letters, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Anne Duggan, ed., 2000, The Packages of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Town (1162–1170). 2 vols, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Carles Sánchez Márquez, 2021, A painted misfortune. The martyrdom of Thomas Becket newest Santa Maria de Terrassa and magnanimity diffusion of its cult in depiction Iberian Peninsula, La Seu d'Urgell: Anem Editors

External links