What Happened On December 29th?

The assassination of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, on December 29, 1170, remains one of the most tragic events in medieval English history. The clash between Becket and King Henry II over the authority of the church and the power struggle between the ecclesiastical and secular realms culminated in a brutal act that shocked medieval Europe.

Thomas Becket, a close friend and confidant of King Henry II, was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. The king hoped that Becket, known for his administrative skills and loyalty, would align the church with the royal authority. However, upon assuming the role of archbishop, Becket underwent a profound spiritual transformation and prioritized the interests of the church over those of the state.

A major point of contention between Becket and Henry was the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical courts. Henry sought to curb the power of the church courts and subject clergy to the jurisdiction of secular courts for certain offenses. Becket, on the other hand, vehemently defended the church’s right to handle its own legal matters.

Tensions between Becket and Henry reached a breaking point during the Council of Northampton in 1164. Henry sought to diminish the church’s influence by introducing the Constitutions of Clarendon, a set of laws that aimed to restrict ecclesiastical privileges. Becket initially agreed to the constitutions but later recanted, leading to a bitter dispute and his self-imposed exile in France.

On December 29, 1170, four knights loyal to King Henry II—Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton—arrived in Canterbury. Fueled by the king’s frustration and perhaps interpreting his wishes more literally, they confronted Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.

The exact details of what transpired in the cathedral vary, but the outcome was tragic. Thomas Becket was brutally murdered, with the knights inflicting fatal wounds on the archbishop. His death sent shockwaves throughout Europe and elevated Becket to the status of a martyr.

What Did You Learn?

If you could ask or tell Thomas Becket or King Henry II anything you wanted, what would you say? If the two lived in peace, would history be different? I want to know your thoughts…