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1. Tensions existed in England in the 12th century between church and state.The Archbishop of Canterbury was the head of the church in England, answerable only to the Pope, and he and King Henry II often differed over church rights.
2. When the archbishop died, the king had his close friend and chancellor, Thomas Becket, made archbishop. He did this believing that Becket would side with the king in all matters out of friendship.
3. Becket - who had lived a good and luxurious life before this - performed his duties as archbishop with surprising sincerity. When a priest was arrested for murder, Becket insisted that he be tried (as was the custom) in an ecclesiastical court, not in a civil one. His dispute with the king over this and other church-state matters led to his self-imposed exile in France for several years.
4. When Becket returned to England, he and the king made a shaky peace. The king, still troubled by Becket, said to some of his knights in a fit of anger, "Can no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?" Many doubt that Henry really intended to have the archbishop killed, but four of his knights rode to Canterbury Cathedral where Becket was saying Vespers. Though sensing that his life was in danger, the doors were unbarred, per his directions. Becket was murdered before the altar, one sword blow cutting off the top of his head, his brains scattering on the floor.
5. He was soon declared a martyr, and Henry II did public penance at his tomb, which later became a shrine, a site of religious pilgrimage for centuries. It was destroyed by order of King Henry VIII some 400 years later during the Protestant Reformation, when the king confiscated the riches of the shrine, and ordered the saint's body to be burned. Many though think that it was secretly reburied by cathedral monks and still exists. A book on this topic is titled "The Quest for Becket's Bones", by John Butler.
Hans J.
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∙ 6y ago
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Did Thomas Becket have a middle name?
Yes, Thomas Becket's middle name was in fact Edward.
Why was the king to blame for thomas beckets murder?
The king was to blame for Thomas Becket's murder because he told the knights to kill Thomas but the knights didn't had to do what he said but they did and hit Thomas in the head and killed him. Also Thomas told the monks to leave the door open so the monks did. Also the king shouldn't have wanted to kill him anyway and the Knights had to obey the kings orders
Who is thomas becket's wife?
Thomas Becket was and Archbishop and therefore took a vow of chastity. He had no wife.
What did thomas becket wear under his robe?
horsehair
How many blows did they hit Thomas Becket with?
4
Who discovered body of thomas becket?
No one discovered Thomas Becket's body; his murder was witnessed by a number of people. Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral during Vespers. His murder was witnessed by monks, and we even have a record of the testimony describing the murder from at least one of them.
What year was the murder of thomas becket?
He was murdered on the 29th December, 1170.
Where did the murder of becket take place?
The murder of Thomas Becket took place at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England. It occurred on December 29, 1170.
Archbishop of Canterbury by thomas becket?
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
What kind of drama did TS Elliot write?
He wrote one play called Murder in the Cathedral about the murder of Thomas Becket.
Who was Edward Grim?
Edward Grim was a clerk who witnessed the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Grim's arm was severely wounded in defense of the Archbishop. He later wrote a biography of Becket, including a detailed account of the murder.
Was Thomas Becket a missionary saint?
No, Thomas Becket was not a missionary.
What was Edward grim's version of the murder of becket?
edward said that he saw the murder and that reginald turned against him and killed thomas beckett ... !! xx <3 ;]]
When was Thomas Becket born?
Thomas Becket was born on December 21, 1118.
What was Murder in the Cathedral about?
"Murder in the Cathedral" is a play by T.S. Eliot that dramatizes the assassination of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. The play explores themes of martyrdom, power, and the clash between spiritual and secular authority. It reflects on Becket's moral courage and the consequences of standing up for one's beliefs in the face of political pressure.
What position has Thomas held in the past in Murder in the Cathedral?
In the past, Thomas Becket held the position of Chancellor to the King of England before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.
In what cathedral did Thomas becket die?
Canterbury cathedral was the location of the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket.
