Westminster. Rouen. Chinon. Poitiers. The Four Centres Of Power For Henry II Plantagenet. Mediæval King Of England 1154 – 1189. Friend And Foe Of Thomas à Becket. (Part Eight).

Soundtrack from Simon Schama’s

“A History of Britain”,

which included King Henry II’s reign.

Sung by Emma Kirkby and Lucie Skeaping.

Music by John Harle.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

Thomas Becket, also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London, and, later, Thomas à Becket, 21 December circa 1119 – 29 December 1170, was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is Venerated as a Saint and Martyr by both The Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of The Catholic Church and was murdered by followers of the King in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was Canonised by Pope Alexander III.

The Cloisters at Canterbury Cathedral.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket,

would have often walked these Cloisters.

Photo: 28 July 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Diliff.

Attribution:

“Photo by DAVID ILIFF.

Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0”

(Wikimedia Commons)

In June 1170, Roger de Pont L'Évêque, the Archbishop of York, along with Gilbert Foliot, the Bishop of London, and Josceline de Bohon, the Bishop of Salisbury, Crowned the Heir Apparent, Henry the Young King, at York.

This was a breach of Canterbury’s Privilege of Coronation, and, in November 1170, Becket Excommunicated all three.

While the three Clergymen fled to King Henry II in Normandy, France, Becket continued to excommunicate his opponents in The Church, the news of which also reached Henry.

Upon hearing reports of Becket’s actions, Henry is said to have uttered words that were interpreted by his men as wishing Becket killed.

The King’s exact words are in doubt and several versions have been reported.

PART NINE FOLLOWS.