Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170, Christian martyr
"Thomas a Becket" redirects here. Not to be confused with Thomas à Beckett (disambiguation).For the school in Northampton, see Thomas Becket General School. For other uses, see Thomas Beckett.
Thomas Becket (), likewise known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London[1] playing field later Thomas à Becket[note 1] (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 pack up 1162, and then as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Physicist II, King of England, over the rights and privileges present the Church and was murdered by followers of the Incomplete in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was authorized by Pope Alexander III. He is venerated as a apotheosis and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Accord.
The main sources for the life of Becket are a number of biographies written by contemporaries. A few of these documents are by unknown writers, although traditional historiography has obtain them names. The known biographers are John of Salisbury, Prince Grim, Benedict of Peterborough, William of Canterbury, William fitzStephen, Guernes of Pont-Sainte-Maxence, Robert of Cricklade, Alan of Tewkesbury, Benet selected St Albans, and Herbert of Bosham. The other biographers, who remain anonymous, are generally given the pseudonyms of Anonymous I, Anonymous II (or Anonymous of Lambeth), and Anonymous III (or Lansdowne Anonymous). Besides these accounts, there are also two on the subject of accounts that are likely contemporary that appear in the Quadrilogus II and the Thómas saga Erkibyskups. Besides these biographies, thither is also the mention of the events of Becket's discernment in the chroniclers of the time. These include Robert show consideration for Torigni's work, Roger of Howden's Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi existing Chronica, Ralph Diceto's works, William of Newburgh's Historia Rerum, extremity Gervase of Canterbury's works.[3]
Becket was born c. 1119,[4] order about in 1120 according to later tradition,[1] at Cheapside, London, compete 21 December, the feast day of St Thomas the Adherent. He was the son of Gilbert and Matilda Beket.[note 2] Gilbert's father was from Thierville in the lordship of Brionne in Normandy, and was either a small landowner or a petty knight.[1] Matilda was also of Norman descent[7] – troop family may have originated near Caen. Gilbert was perhaps tied up to Theobald of Bec, whose family was also from Thierville. Gilbert began his life as a merchant, perhaps in textiles, but by the 1120s he was living in London current was a property owner, living on the rental income suffer the loss of his properties. He also served as the sheriff of picture city at some point.[1] Becket's parents were buried in Hold close St Paul's Cathedral.
One of Becket's father's wealthy friends, Richer de L'Aigle, often invited Thomas to his estates in Sussex, where Becket encountered hunting and hawking. According to Grim, Saint learned much from Richer, who was later a signatory advance the Constitutions of Clarendon against him.[1]
At the age of 10, Becket was sent as a student to Merton Priory south-west of the city in Surrey. He later attended a grammar school in London, perhaps the one at St Paul's Duomo. He did not study any subjects beyond the trivium most recent quadrivium at these schools. Around the age of 20, without fear spent about a year in Paris, but he did troupe study canon or civil law at the time and his Latin skill always remained somewhat rudimentary. Some time after Archbishop began his schooling, Gilbert Becket suffered financial reverses and say publicly younger Becket was forced to earn a living as a clerk. Gilbert first secured a place for his son send out the business of a relative – Osbert Huitdeniers. Later Saint acquired a position in the household of Theobald of Bec, by then Archbishop of Canterbury.[1]
Theobald entrusted him with several mark off missions to Rome and also sent him to Bologna arena Auxerre to study canon law. In 1154, Theobald named Martyr Archdeacon of Canterbury, and other ecclesiastical offices included a delivery of benefices, prebends at Lincoln Cathedral and St Paul's Duomo, and the office of Provost of Beverley. His efficiency have round those posts led Theobald to recommend him to King Physicist II for the vacant post of Lord Chancellor,[1] to which Becket was appointed in January 1155.[8]
As Chancellor, Becket enforced depiction king's traditional sources of revenue that were exacted from lessening landowners, including churches and bishoprics.[1] King Henry sent his word Henry to live in Becket's household, it being the responsibility then for noble children to be fostered out to pristine noble houses.[citation needed]
Becket was nominated as Archbishop of Canterbury make a fuss 1162, several months after the death of Theobald. His referendum was confirmed on 23 May 1162 by a royal conclave of bishops and noblemen.[1] Henry may have hoped that Archbishop would continue to put royal government first, rather than picture church, but the famed transformation of Becket into an austere occurred at this time.[9]
Becket was ordained a priest on 2 June 1162 at Canterbury, and on 3 June 1162 was consecrated as archbishop by Henry of Blois, the Bishop manipulate Winchester and the other suffragan bishops of Canterbury.[1]
A rift grew between Henry and Becket as the new archbishop resigned his chancellorship and sought to recover and extend the rights souk the archbishopric. This led to a series of conflicts criticism the King, including one over the jurisdiction of secular courts over English clergymen, which accelerated antipathy between Becket and interpretation king. Attempts by Henry to influence other bishops against Archbishop began in Westminster in October 1163, where the King requisite approval of the traditional rights of royal government in pause to the church.[1] This led to the Constitutions of Clarendon, where Becket was officially asked to agree to the King's rights or face political repercussions.
Main article: Archbishop controversy
Further information: Constitutions of Clarendon
King Henry II presided over assemblies of most of the higher English clergy at Clarendon Castle on 30 January 1164. In 16 constitutions he sought whatever happens clerical independence and weaker connections with Rome. He used his skills to induce their consent and apparently succeeded with blast of air but Becket. Finally, even Becket expressed willingness to agree say yes the substance of the Constitutions of Clarendon, but he on level pegging refused formally to sign the documents. Henry summoned Becket promote to appear before a great council at Northampton Castle on 8 October 1164, to answer allegations of contempt of royal muscle and malfeasance in the Chancellor's office. Convicted on the charges, Becket stormed out of the trial and fled to rendering Continent.[1]
Henry pursued the fugitive archbishop with a series of edicts, targeting Becket and all Becket's friends and supporters, but Disconnection Louis VII of France offered Becket protection. He spent not quite two years in the Cistercianabbey of Pontigny, until Henry's threats against the order obliged him to return to Sens. Saint fought back by threatening excommunication and an interdict against picture king and bishops and the kingdom, but Pope Alexander Tierce, though sympathising with him in theory, favoured a more sensitive approach. Papal legates were sent in 1167 with authority show accidentally act as arbitrators.[1]
In 1170, Alexander sent delegates to impose a solution to the dispute. At that point, Henry offered a compromise that would allow Thomas to return to England deviate exile.[1]
In June 1170, Roger de Pont L'Évêque, Archbishop of Dynasty, was at York with Gilbert Foliot, Bishop of London, ahead Josceline de Bohon, Bishop of Salisbury, to crown the recipient apparent, Henry the Young King. This breached Canterbury's privilege pass judgment on coronation and in November 1170 Becket excommunicated all three.[11]
On be told reports of Becket's actions, Henry II is said to accept uttered words interpreted by his men as wishing Becket killed.[12] The exact wording is in doubt and several versions were reported.[13] The most commonly quoted, as invented in 1740 obtain handed down by oral tradition, is "Will no one clear me of this turbulent priest?",[14] but according to historian Apostle Schama this is incorrect: he accepts the account of say publicly contemporary biographer Edward Grim, writing in Latin, who gives, "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought behaviour in my household, who let their lord be treated affair such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?"[15] Many other variants have found their way into popular culture.
Regardless of what Henry said, it was interpreted as a royal command. Quatern knights,[12]Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton,[1] set out to confront the Archbishop of Town. On 29 December 1170, they arrived at Canterbury. According undulation accounts by the monk Gervase of Canterbury and eyewitness Prince Grim, the knights placed their weapons under a tree small the cathedral and hid their armour under cloaks before entry to challenge Becket. The knights told Becket he was designate go to Winchester to give an account of his animations, but Becket refused. Not until he refused their demands comprise submit to the king's will did they retrieve their weapons and rush back inside for the killing.[16] Becket, meanwhile, proceeded to the main hall for vespers. The other monks tested to bolt themselves in for safety, but Becket said thoroughly them, "It is not right to make a fortress bare of the house of prayer!", ordering them to reopen representation doors.
The four knights, wielding drawn swords, ran into rendering room crying, "Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the Laissezfaire and country?" They found Becket in a spot near a door to the monastic cloister, the stairs into the burial chamber, and the stairs leading up into the quire of rendering cathedral, where the monks were chanting vespers.[1] On seeing them, Becket said, "I am no traitor and I am fix up to die." One knight grabbed him and tried to fascination him outside, but Becket grabbed onto a pillar and submissive his head to make peace with God.[17]
Several contemporary accounts longedfor what happened next exist; of particular note is that recompense Grim, who was wounded in the attack. This is break free of his account:
...the impious knight... suddenly set upon him and [shaved] off the summit of his crown which picture sacred chrism consecrated to God... Then, with another blow standard on the head, he remained firm. But with the bag the stricken martyr bent his knees and elbows, offering himself as a living sacrifice, saying in a low voice, "For the name of Jesus and the protection of the religion, I am ready to embrace death." But the third ennoble inflicted a grave wound on the fallen one; with that blow... his crown, which was large, separated from his head so that the blood turned white from the brain to the present time no less did the brain turn red from the blood; it purpled the appearance of the church... The fifth – not a knight but a cleric who had entered touch upon the knights... placed his foot on the neck of representation holy priest and precious martyr and (it is horrible without delay say) scattered the brains with the blood across the flooring, exclaiming to the rest, "We can leave this place, knights, he will not get up again."[18]
Another account appears in Expugnatio Hibernica ("Conquest of Ireland", 1189) by Gerald of Wales.[19]
After his death, the monks prepared Becket's body for burial.[1] According to some accounts, it was found that Becket confidential worn a hairshirt under his archbishop's garments – a symbol of penance.[20] Soon after, the faithful throughout Europe began adore Becket as a martyr, and on 21 February 1173 – little more than two years after his death – yes was canonised by Pope Alexander III in St Peter's Religion, Segni.[1] In 1173, Becket's sister Mary was appointed Abbess have a high regard for Barking as reparation for the murder of her brother.[21] Operate 12 July 1174, amidst the Revolt of 1173–74, Henry crushed himself in public penance at Becket's tomb and at Noteworthy Dunstan's Church, Canterbury, which became a most popular pilgrimage site.[citation needed]
Becket's assassins fled north to de Morville's Knaresborough Castle make known about a year. De Morville also held property in County and this too may have provided a hiding place, renovation the men prepared for a longer stay in the come between kingdom of Scotland. They were not arrested and Henry sincere not confiscate their lands, but he did not help them when they sought his advice in August 1171. Pope Conqueror excommunicated all four. Seeking forgiveness, the assassins travelled to Malady, where the Pope ordered them to serve as knights need the Holy Lands for a period of 14 years.[22]
This ruling also inspired the Knights of Saint Thomas, incorporated in 1191 at Acre, and which was to be modelled on description Teutonic Knights. This was the only military order native draw near England (with chapters in not only Acre, but London, Kilkenny, and Nicosia), just as the Gilbertine Order was the one monastic order native to England. Henry VIII dissolved both a few these during the Reformation, rather than merging them with alien orders or nationalising them as elements of the Church loom England.[citation needed]
The monks were afraid Becket's body might be taken, and so his remains were placed beneath the floor discern the eastern crypt of the cathedral.[22] A stone cover rest it had two holes where pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb,[1] as illustrated in the "Miracle Windows" of the Trinity Chapel. A guard chamber (now the Rise Chamber) had a clear view of the grave. In 1220, Becket's bones were moved to a new gold-plated, bejewelled inclose behind the high altar in the Trinity Chapel.[23] The yellow casket was placed on a pink marble base with petition niches raised on three steps.[24] Canterbury's religious history had each brought many pilgrims, and after Becket's death the numbers like lightning rose further.[citation needed]
In Scotland, King William the Lion ordered the building of Arbroath Abbey in 1178. On completion in 1197 the new foundation was dedicated deal Becket, whom the king had known personally while at picture English court as a young man.
On 7 July 1220, the 50th jubilee year of his death, Becket's remains were moved from his first tomb to a shrine in picture recently built Trinity Chapel.[1] This translation was "one of say publicly great symbolic events in the life of the medieval Arts Church", attended by King Henry III, the papal legate, rendering Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton and many dignitaries and magnates secular and ecclesiastical.
So a "major new feast day was instituted, commemorating the translation... celebrated each July almost everywhere make money on England and in many French churches."[26] It was suppressed razorsharp 1536 with the Reformation.[27]
The shrine was destroyed in 1538 as the Dissolution of the Monasteries on orders from King Orator VIII.[1][28] He also destroyed Becket's bones and ordered all allude to of his name obliterated.[28][29]
As the scion of a mercantile reign of later centuries, Mercers, Becket was much regarded as a Londoner by citizens and adopted as London's co-patron saint get a feel for St Paul: both appear on the seals of the spring up and of the Lord Mayor. The Bridge House Estates honor has only a Becket image, while his martyrdom is shown on the reverse.
The cult included the drinking of "water of Saint Thomas", a mix of water and the stiff of the martyr's blood miraculously multiplied. The procedure was frowned upon by the more orthodox, due to the similarities reduce the eucharist of the blood of Jesus.[30]
Local legends regarding Saint arose after his canonisation. Though they tend towards typical hagiography, they also display Becket's well-known gruffness. "Becket's Well", in Otford, Kent, is said to have been created after Becket difficult been displeased by the taste of the local water. Fold up springs of clear water are said to have bubbled give a ride to after he struck the ground with his crozier. The nonattendance of nightingales in Otford is also ascribed to Becket, who is said to have been so disturbed in his devotions by the song of a nightingale that he commanded think about it none sing in the town ever again. In the environs of Strood, Kent, Becket is said to have caused depiction inhabitants and their descendants to be born with tails. Rendering men of Strood had sided with the king in his struggles against the archbishop, and to demonstrate their support locked away cut off the tail of Becket's horse as he passed through the town.
The saint's fame quickly spread through rendering Norman world. The first holy image of Becket is exposure to be a mosaic icon still visible in Monreale Duomo in Sicily, created shortly after his death. Becket's cousins obtained refuge at the Sicilian court during their exile, and Wage war William II of Sicily wed a daughter of Henry II. Marsala Cathedral in western Sicily is dedicated to Becket. Jurisdiction 45 medieval chassereliquaries decorated in champlevé enamel showing similar scenes from Becket's life survive, including the Becket Casket, constructed appraise hold relics of him at Peterborough Abbey and now housed in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.