Thomas becket early life

Why is thomas becket called thomas a becket
Why was thomas becket important
Where is thomas becket buried

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Thomas Becket (c.1120 - 1170)

Thomas Becket ©Becket was a 12th century chancellor and archbishop of Canterbury whose murder resulted in his canonisation.

Thomas Becket was born in around 1120, the son of a prosperous London merchant. He was well educated and quickly became an agent to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him on several missions to Rome. Becket's talents were noticed by Henry II, who made him his chancellor and the two became close friends. When Theobald died in 1161, Henry made Becket archbishop. Becket transformed himself from a pleasure-loving courtier into a serious, simply-dressed cleric.

The king and his archbishop's friendship was put under strain when it became clear that Becket would now stand up for the church in its disagreements with the king. In 1164, realising the extent of Henry's displeasure, Becket fled into exile in France, and remained in exile for several years. He returned in 1170.

On the 29 December 1170, four knights, believing the king wanted Becket out of the way, confronted and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.

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Thomas Becket

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 Catholic School. For other uses, see Thomas Beckett.

Thomas Becket (), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London^[1] and later Thomas à Becket^{[note 1]} (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the King in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Sources

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 historiogr

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Who was Thomas Becket?

Thomas Becket was an English archbishop and martyr, famously murdered by knights of Henry II at CanterburyCathedral. After his death, his tomb and relics became a focus for pilgrimage and he was made a saint.

Read more about Becket below, or use our timeline and story map resources to explore his life - and afterlife - visually.

Life and Legend

Thomas Becket was born in Cheapside, London, to reasonably affluent Norman parents who had settled in England some years earlier. He was given a good primary education at Merton Abbey and in Paris, becoming a financial clerk.

In around 1142 he entered the service of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury. He was then sent abroad to Bologna and Auxerre to study canon law. In 1154 Becket was ordained as a deacon and became Archdeacon of Canterbury. Theobald was evidently impressed with Becket's work in this important administrative role, and used him as a negotiator in his dealing with the English monarchy.

Henry II succeeded Stephen on the throne in 1154, and the following year he raised Becket to the position of Ch