The brutal murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury

850 years ago, on December 29, 1170, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was brutally murdered by four knights in his own cathedral. This murder marked the end of a close friendship between Becket and King Henry II and left a deep mark on English history, art, and literature. The relationship between Thomas Becket and King Henry II, once characterized by close cooperation and trust, developed into a dramatic feud that ultimately culminated in Becket’s death. Thomas Becket was born in London on December 21, 1119 or 1120, on the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, whose name he received. His parents were wealthy immigrants from Normandy, and his father was a respected merchant. Becket received an excellent education, including studies in Paris. Thanks to this education, he was able to enter the service of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury. The turning point in his life came in 1155, when Becket was appointed Lord Chancellor to King Henry II. In this position, he developed a close relationship with the king. The two men spent a lot of time together, traveling throughout England, hunting, and enjoying the luxurious life at court. Becket was known for his lavish parties and generous hospitality. When the seat of Archbishop of Canterbury became vacant in 1162, Henry II pushed for Becket to take the position. The king hoped that Becket would continue to represent his political interests as archbishop. However, the king’s plan did not work out. After Becket took office as archbishop, he resigned as Lord Chancellor and devoted himself entirely to his ecclesiastical duties. This led to a serious rift with Henry II. Becket vehemently defended the rights and privileges of the Church against the king’s influence. This led to an increasingly bitter dispute between the two former friends. Finally, Henry II felt compelled to accuse Becket of treason. Fearing for his life, Becket fled into exile in France in 1164. He spent six years there while Henry II and Pope Alexander III negotiated indirectly about Becket’s possible return. On December 1, 1170, Becket returned triumphantly to England. His return was like a victory parade, but the tensions with the king were by no means resolved. Only a few weeks later, the conflict reached its tragic climax. Henry II’s legendary remark, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” is considered the trigger for the ensuing tragedy. Four of his knights – Reginald Fitzurse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton – interpreted this as a call to action. On December 29, 1170, they stormed into Canterbury Cathedral and murdered Becket in front of the altar. There are several eyewitness accounts of the murder, including the key document by the monk Edward Grim, who was so close to Becket that he himself was injured. Grim reports that the knights first wanted to capture Becket in his palace. However, when Becket sought refuge in the cathedral, they followed him there and killed him with drawn swords. The murder of Thomas Becket shocked Europe and led to one of the fastest canonizations in history. As early as February 1173, Pope Alexander III declared Becket a saint. Henry II had to do severe penance and make a pilgrimage to Canterbury, where he publicly humiliated himself. The cult surrounding Thomas Becket attracted pilgrims from all over Europe. In the summer of 1220, his remains were transferred to a magnificent shrine, which became an important place of pilgrimage. But this shrine also fell victim to history: in the course of the Reformation, Henry VIII had it destroyed in 1538. It is believed that this act was less due to a personal dislike of Becket than to the king’s general attitude toward insubordinate church representatives. The murder of Thomas Becket has also left a profound mark on art and literature. The dramatic story of friendship, conflict, and brutal murder continues to inspire writers, painters, and historians to this day. Naomi Speakman, co-curator of the “Thomas Becket” exhibition at the British Museum, aptly describes the story: “The story of Thomas Becket has all the hallmarks of a Game of Thrones plot: drama, fame, royalty, envy, revenge, and finally a brutal murder that shocked Europe.” Events and exhibitions in honor of Thomas Becket are being organized across the UK. 850 years have passed since this scandalous murder shook the world. Yet Thomas Becket remains a central figure in Britain’s cultural DNA. Both the Catholic and Anglican churches venerate him as a saint and martyr. His legacy lives on through the stories told about him, the works of art that depict him, and the historical studies that examine his life and times. The story of Thomas Becket is a reminder of how fragile human relationships can be and how dramatic twists and turns fate can take. But it also shows how individual events can affect the culture and collective memory of a country for centuries to come. Thomas Becket remains a symbol of steadfastness and faithfulness, whose legacy extends far beyond the borders of England.