Thomas a Becket, born in London in 1118, was the son of a merchant. When working as assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas was introduced to King Henry II. They became friends.
Henry II appointed Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, no doubt hoping that his friend Thomas would support him in his dealings with the Church.
“A” continues our account:
Henry II tried to change the court rules in his kingdom. When he came to power, any cleric who commited a crime would go the Church court, rather than the King’s court.
In 1164, the King tried to pass a new law which made all the people – including the clerics – subject to the King’s court. This was known as “The Constitutions of Clarendon”.
Henry II expected Thomas a Becket to sign the Constitution. But he was to be both disappointed and frustrated.
“M” continues our account:
At first, Thomas agreed with Henry.
But then, the Pope told Thomas to change his mind and to serve the Church rather than his King.
So Thomas refused to sign.
The King, who was in Normandy at the time, became enraged and cried ”who will rid me of this turbulent priest?” (although many historians argue that he asked how his courtiers could “allow their lord to be treated with such shameful contempt”).Either way, four of his knights sailed to England, rushed to Canterbury Cathedral and murdered Thomas in the middle of a service.
Thomas a Becket was later made a saint.
Henry went on a pilgrimage to Thomas’s shrine at Canterbury Cathedral to show remorse. He walked barefoot, confessed his sins and was flogged by the monks.
