Saint Thomas À Becket
Also known as Thomas of London and, more simply, as Thomas Becket, Thomas À Becket was chancellor of England from 1155 to 1162, at which time he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II.
Becket and Henry had long been friends, and Henry thought that he would be able to influence a man who owed him his position of power. However, Becket surprised Henry by becoming extraordinarily pious and taking his responsibilities as a son of the Church quite seriously. King and archbishop had a long and heated quarrel that ended when four knights, taking to heart some careless words roared by Henry in the heat of anger, murdered Thomas À Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
Important Dates
Most likely birthdate: Dec. 21, 1118
Consecrated Archbishop: June 3, 1162
Left Britain: Nov. 2, 1164
Reconciliation with Henry: July 27, 1170
Returned to Britain: Dec. 1, 1170
Murdered: Dec. 29, 1170
Canonized: Feb. 21, 1173
At About
Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury
Three-page article from the 1911 Encyclopedia, here at the Medieval History site.
On the Web
In Print
On Film
The link below will take you to a site where you can compare prices at merchants across the web. More in-depth info about the film may be found by clicking on to the film's page at one of the online merchants.
Becket
King Henry II clashes with his one-time friend Thomas Becket in this excellent drama with Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton.
Related Resources
Medieval Britain
Sites that focus on general British medieval history, people, places, events, documents, the Norman Conquest, the Wars of the Roses, and other aspects of Britain in the Middle Ages.Hagiography
Indices, primary sources, and general sites focusing on the study of Saints' lives.
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