Adrienne's Corner

St. Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury

December 29

*

****A sword's crushing blow extinguished the life of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, on a cold December evening as he struggled on the steps of his altar. The brutal event sent a tremor through Medieval Europe. Public opinion of the time and subsequent history have laid the blame for the murder at the feet of Becket's former close personal friend, King Henry II. read more

*

*

Thomas Becket was born 1118 in London, England. — died Dec. 29, 1170, Canterbury, Kent; canonized 1173; feast day December 29) Archbishop of Canterbury (1162 – 70). He was the son of a Norman merchant and served as chancellor of England under Henry II. Not only did Thomas help the King increase his power because of his brilliance as an administrator, diplomat, and military strategist, but they were close friends.

*

Henry wanted to keep royal control of the church and so he appointed his drinking buddy Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury in 1162.

*

Thomas, however, had different ideas and opposed royal power in the church. In 1164, Henry issued the Constitutions of Clarendon, listing royal rights over the church and decided to try Thomas in a court.

*

Thomas, knowing that was a no-win situation, took off for France and didn't return until 1170. He was murdered in the cathedral by four of Henry's knights.

*

*

Memorable Quotes from Becket (1964), the movie starring Peter O'Toole as King Henry II, Richard Burton as Thomas Becket, and John Gielgud as King Louis VII of France. Other than portraying Becket as a Saxon instead of a Norman the movie is excellent.

*

Thomas a Becket: Honor is a private matter within; it's an idea, and every man has his own version of it.

King Henry II: How gracefully you tell your king to mind his own business.

*

Saints like Thomas Becket, Augustine, and Francis of Assisi are my favorites. These are people that have so many human frailties and still managed to answer the call of God.