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
Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
The most commonly quoted, as handed down by oral Tradition, is: “Who will rid me of this troublesome Priest ?’, but, according to historian Simon Schama, this is incorrect; he accepts the account of the contemporary biographer Edward Grim, writing in Latin, who gives us: “What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their Lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born Cleric”.
Many variations have found their way into popular culture.
The Angevin Empire
and claims of King Henry II of England
(Red, Buff, Orange, Yellow).
Blue is the Royal Domain and Vassal States
of the French King.
Date of construction of File:
5 January 2011,
Source:
Author:
France_blank.svg: Eric Gaba
Derivative work: Hchc2009.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Whatever Henry said, it was interpreted as a Royal Command, and four Knights, Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton, set out to confront the Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 29 December 1170, they arrived at Canterbury. According to accounts left by the Monk, Gervase of Canterbury, and eyewitness Edward Grim, they placed their weapons under a tree outside the Cathedral, and hid their Mail Armour under cloaks, before entering to challenge Becket.
The Knights informed Becket he was to go to Winchester to give an account of his actions, but Becket refused. It was not until Becket refused their demands, to submit to the King’s will, that they retrieved their weapons and rushed back inside for the killing. Becket, meanwhile, proceeded to the Main Hall for Vespers.
A Seal of the Abbot of Arbroath, Scotland, showing the murder of Becket. Arbroath Abbey was Founded eight years after the death of Saint Thomas a’Becket and dedicated to him.
It became the wealthiest Abbey in Scotland.
Date: Mediæval Seal. Photo from the 1850s.
Source: Cosmo Innes and Patrick Chalmers (eds.),
Liber S. Thome De Aberbrothoc;
Registrorum Abbacie De Aberbrothoc,
Volume 2, Edinburgi (Bannatyne Club) 1848-1856.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The four Knights, wielding drawn Swords, caught up with him in a spot near a door to the Monastic Cloister.
Several contemporary accounts of what happened next exist; of particular note is that of Edward Grim, who was himself wounded in the attack. This is part of the account from Edward Grim:
“The wicked Knight leapt suddenly upon him, cutting off the top of the crown which the unction of Sacred Chrism had dedicated to God.
PART TEN FOLLOWS.
“The wicked Knight leapt suddenly upon him, cutting off the top of the crown which the unction of Sacred Chrism had dedicated to God.
PART TEN FOLLOWS.
