Becket was born in 1118 in London to Norman Parents. His father was a knight who became a businessman of some importance in the city. Becket worked as a clerk for a relative for some years and then joined the household of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury. This entailed more learning and grooming for positions of bishops, archbishops, cardinals and even popes. In 1154, when the Chancellorship of England became vacant, Theobald recommended Becket for the post. Henry II became a good friend of Becket but the friendship did not last. In 1161 at the time of Theobald's death Becket realised the job of Archbishop of Canterbury was much more serious than that of Chancellor and that he would have to protect the Church from plans that Henry II had for it. The reason was that Henry wanted to bring order to the judicial system as at the time the Church had its own courts. The Church did not want to be part of a system which in the past had put them on the same level as serfs. Henry forced Becket to become Archbishop thinking Becket would help move his plans forward but in October 1163 Henry put forward his plans before the Council of Westminster and Becket opposed them. Henry Attempted to move his plans forward at the Council of Clarendon but again Becket refused to comply. Henry then decided to crush Becket and at a meeting at Northampton in October 1164 planned to accuse Becket of being a traitor and imprison him. Becket went into exile and Henry confiscated all his property. To insult becket, in June 1170, Henry used Becket's enemy the Archbishop of York to assist in the coronation of his son. On December 1st Becket returned to Canterbury. At the time Henry was in Normandy and at the news of Becket's return and learning that he was excommunicated bishops who he thought had opposed him in the past, became extremely angry. Four knights overhearing Henry's ranting and taking him at his word travelled to England to deal with Becket. On December 29th the knights found Becket in Canterbury Cathedral and killed him.
Selection of references used:
- John Fines,Who's Who in the Middle Ages,
- John Timbs & Alexander Gunn,Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England & Wales (North),1872
- Mike Salter,Castles and Moated Castles of Warwickshire,
- Stephen Howarth,The Knights Templar,
- Peter Potter,Data Donation,
- Alan & Veronica Palmer,Pimlico Chronology of Britsh History,
| Options
See Also
Time Linked People
|
StumbleUpon