Thomas Becket Timeline 1119-1170

Thomas Becket was born the son of a Norman knight Gilbert Becket and his wife Matilda in Cheapside, London.

Thomas Becket began his education at Merton Priory.

Thomas Becket attended a London Grammar school.

Thomas Becket spent the year in Paris.

Becket began working as a clerk, firstly for Osbert Huitdeniers, a family friend, and later for theArchbishop of Canterbury Theobald of Bec.

Theobald of Bec appointed Becket to the position of Archdeacon of Canterbury.

King Stephen died and Becket’s friend Henry Plantagenet became King Henry II of England.

King Henry II appointed Becket, Chancellor of England.

Henry II accused the clergy of being too lenient in the punishment of wrongdoers within their own ranks. He also ordered that appeals to Rome, which had been allowed by Stephen, were to cease.

King Henry appointed Thomas Becket, to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry hoped that because Becket was his friend he would help reduce the power of the church. However, Becket took his role seriously and swore to uphold church rights.

Thomas Becket was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.

Council at Woodstock
King Henry and Becket disagreed over payments to sheriffs.

Council of Westminster
As part of his desire to reform the church Henry demanded that clerics who had committed crimes should be unfrocked and handed over to the lay courts for punishment. Becket strongly opposed this move.

Constitution of Clarendon
This was a clear statement of the King’s customary rights over the church. The document was comprised of sixteen articles that laid out the degree to which the Pope had authority and also the customary rights enjoyed by the King over the church. The document required that the bishops promise to observe these customs in good faith.

Becket and the bishops refused to approve the Constitution of Clarendon and turned against Henry, vigorously defending their ecclesiastical rights. The struggle between Henry and Becket was worsening.

Council of Northampton
This council found Becket guilty of perjury for failing to attend the council. As punishment it was decided he should lose his possessions.

Becket exiled himself to France. King Henry confiscated Becket’s property.

Assize of Clarendon
This introduced measures for trial by royal judges for those suspected of serious crimes. Royal judges were men who the king trusted – earls, barons abbots and counsellors.

Henry and Becket met at Montmirail in France. Becket paid homage to Henry and it was agreed that Becket should return to England.

Concern about the succession prompted Henry to crown his eldest son and heir Henry. The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey and was performed by the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Salisbury. As coronations were traditionally carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury this was seen as an insult to Thomas Becket.

Henry and Becket met at Freteval and greeted each other cordially.

Becket returned to England determined to punish all those who had played a part in the young king’s coronation. He brought with him an authorisation from the Pope for the excommunication of all bishops who had supported Henry during Becket’s exile and all barons who had profited from his exile.

King Henry was in Normandy when he was brought the news that Becket was threatening to excommunicate him for trying to reduce the power of the church. Henry was furious and amid his frustrated rant he may have shouted “will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest!” or words to that effect.

Murder of Thomas Becket
Henry’s heated words were taken literally by four of his knights, Reginald Fitzurse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton. Anxious to win the kings favour they rode to Canterbury and murdered Becket in his own cathedral.