Saint Thomas Becket (1118

Saint Thomas Becket

Saint Thomas Becket (1118?-1170) was an archbishop of Canterbury. His struggle to keep the English church free from royal control led to his dramatic death.

Becket was born in London and studied in England and France. In 1155, King Henry II appointed Becket chancellor of England. Becket adopted a luxurious life style and became Henry's favorite companion. In 1162, Henry made Becket archbishop of Canterbury. Becket took his new position seriously. He lived more simply and became a champion of the church against royal power.

A series of bitter conflicts followed between Becket and Henry over the king's attempts to gain control of the church in England. In 1164, fearing for his safety, Becket fled to France, but he returned to England in 1170 and quickly renewed his opposition to royal authority. Becket's new defiance irritated the king. In the hearing of his knights, Henry asked if anyone was brave enough to rid him of a single troublesome priest. Four knights took Henry's remark as a royal request. The knights murdered Becket while he was at evening prayers in Canterbury Cathedral.

Excerpt adapted from the "Saint Thomas Becket," article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999