Medieval People: Thomas Becket

Becket’s early career was marked by his service as a trusted advisor and chancellor to King Henry II. He proved to be a skilled administrator and diplomat, earning the king’s favor and admiration. In 1162, Becket was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest ecclesiastical office in England, following the death of Theobald of Bec.

As Archbishop, Becket underwent a profound transformation, renouncing his worldly pursuits and embracing a life of piety and devotion to the church. His newfound zeal for ecclesiastical independence and the rights of the church brought him into direct conflict with King Henry II, who sought to assert royal authority over the clergy and the church courts.

The most famous episode in Becket’s life came in 1170, when he clashed with King Henry II over the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical courts and the punishment of clergy accused of crimes. Becket’s refusal to compromise on matters of church autonomy and his steadfast defense of the church’s privileges angered the king, leading to a bitter estrangement between the two former friends.

Tensions between Becket and the king came to a head when Becket excommunicated several of Henry’s supporters, prompting the king to utter his infamous outburst: “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” In response, four of Henry’s knights interpreted the king’s words as a command to eliminate Becket, and they travelled to Canterbury Cathedral, where they brutally murdered him on December 29, 1170.

Becket’s murder shocked medieval Europe and sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1173, and his shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom. Becket’s martyrdom elevated him to the status of a symbol of ecclesiastical independence and resistance to secular authority, and he remains one of the most revered saints in the Christian tradition.