| 1162 | | Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury |
| | | Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. |
| 1163 | Jan | Henry II returns to England |
| | | Henry returned from Normandy to England coming ashore at Southampton where he was met by Thomas Becket. |
| Oct | Henry II puts plans of reform to Council of Westminster |
| | | Henry II put his plans before the Council of Westminster to reform the judicial system allowing the courts power over members of the Church which had the luxury of their own courts. Thomas Becket stood against the plans starting a rift between him and Henry that would led to Becket's death. |
| 1164 | Jan 30 | Constitutions of Clarendon |
| | | A series of statements laid down by Henry II regarding the relationship between the church and the state. One statement was the cause for the rift between Henry and Thomas Becket, that said that a member of the church who committed a crime should be available to be tried in a state court and not just a church one. Clarendon is near Salisbury. |
| Oct 6 | Council of Northampton |
| | | Council of Northampton held to discuss the Welsh rebellion and the Constitution of Clarendon; the Council tried Thomas Becket (8.10) and found him guilty of perjury (failure to appear at Council) and heresy; he was sentenced to forfeiture of his possessions; the sentence was quashed by Alexander III and Becket fled to Lincoln (14.10) and then France (2.11). |
| Nov 2 | Becket flees to France |
| | | Becket fled to France and sought the propection of Pope Alexander III, who himself was in exile. |
| 1166 | | Becket excommunicates his enemies |
| | | Richard de Lucy, joint Chief Justiciar in England, excommunicated by Thomas Becket. |
| 1169 | Jan 6 | Becket submits to Henry |
| | | Henry II of England, Louis VII of France and Becket met at Montmirail; Becket submitted to Henry excepting only on point, and negotiations failed (7.1); a second meeting took place (7.2) at St. Leger-en-Yvelines, and a papal ultimatum served on Henry.. |
| 1170 | Jun 14 | Henry II coronation of Prince Henry |
| | | To insult Thomas Becket, Henry II used the Archbishop of York in the coronation of his son Henry. This was an act that infringed the rights of the Archbishop of Canterbury. |
| Jul 22 | Becket and Henry at Freteval |
| | | Henry II and Thomas Becket met near Freteval in France where they came to an agreement to end their differences. This resulted in Becket’s partial restoration. |
| Dec 1 | Thomas Becket returns to England |
| | | Henry II sent word to England saying that the conflict with Thomas Becket was at an end and his lands should be restored. Hearing this Becket returned to England landing on the south coast at Sandwich. |
| Dec 29 | Thomas Becket is murdered |
| | | When Henry II heard that Thomas Becket had returned to England and was threatening to excommunicate his opponents, his outrage was such that four knights overhearing the King travelled to England and killed Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral. |
| 1171 | Jan 1 | Henry II told of the murder of Becket |
| | | Henry II told of the murder of Becket. |
| 1173 | Feb 21 | Becket canonised |
| | | Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became extemely wealthy due to the number of pilgrims visiting it and donating money. |
| 1174 | Jul 7 | Whipping of Henry II |
| | | Henry II accepted his part, even though indirect, in the killing of Thomas Becket. He was whipped by the monks of Canterbury as punishment. |
