Thomas Becket was originally the chancellor to King Henry II of England. When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, Henry appointed his friend Becket to the position. However, Becket took his new religious role very seriously and refused to follow Henry's new law that increased royal authority over the church courts. This led to a conflict between Becket and Henry. Becket was eventually murdered by four of Henry's knights in Canterbury Cathedral after refusing to pardon men excommunicated for supporting the King. Becket's death shocked Christians and he became a symbol of resistance to royal power over the church.

1. By: Ryan Keene

2. He was born in 1118 and educated in
England, France and Italy. In 1154 he was given
the job of chancellor during the reign of King
Henry II. He worked hard for the King and
they became close friends.
When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, King
Henry chose his friend to take his place.
Becket now had the most important religious
position in England; Archbishop of Canterbury.

3. Becket changed his whole way of life when he
became Archbishop and took his new position
very seriously.
After a while the king became concerned with
the increase in crime and the ease at which
people were being tried in the church court
instead of the royal court. The church court
often just handed out “spiritual punishment.”
This angered the king who made a law that if
you were found guilty in church court you
could be punished in the royal court.

4. This conflict between the King and Archbishop
was difficult. People didn’t know who to side
with the King or the Church.
Becket refused to follow this new law and left
England.
Becket later returned to England while King
Henry was in France. Becket excommunicated
several churchmen who supported the King.
King Henry was furious !

5. Four of the King’s knights went to find Beckett.
The knights arrived in Canterbury on Dec 29,
1170. They demanded Becket to give pardons to
all he excommunicated. Becket refused and
the knights violently killed him with their
swords.

6. Christians were shocked to hear of Thomas
Becket’s death. He became a symbol of
Christian resistance to a King. There is a shrine
in his honor in Canterbury

7. “There are two principles by which
the world is ruled: the authority of
priests and the royal power. The
authority of priest is greater
because God will demand an
accounting of them even in regard
to kings” – Becket

8. Becket's Window
in Canterbury
Cathedral

9.  Spartacus Educational:
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/NORBecket.htm
 History Learning Site: www. historylearning
site.co.uk/thomas_becket_htm