Saint Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr
(1118–1170)

Saint Thomas Becket was born in London on December 21, 1118, the son of a prosperous Norman merchant. He received an excellent education and entered the household of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who recognised his abilities and sent him to study canon law in Bologna and Auxerre. He rose rapidly to become archdeacon of Canterbury and then, in 1155, was appointed Chancellor of England by the young King Henry II, his close personal friend. For seven years Thomas served as chancellor with great ability, living in splendour and playing a leading role in the brilliant court of one of the most dynamic rulers in English history.

In 1162 Henry appointed Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, expecting his loyal friend to continue serving royal interests as efficiently in the Church as he had in the state. Thomas accepted the archbishopric only with reluctance, warning Henry that their friendship would change. Change it did. Thomas underwent a profound personal conversion, abandoning the luxurious life of the chancellor for the austere life of a monk-bishop, wearing a hair shirt beneath his archiepiscopal vestments and devoting himself to prayer, fasting, and the pastoral care of his diocese.

The conflict between Thomas and Henry centred on the rights of the Church, particularly the question of whether clergy accused of crimes should be tried in royal or ecclesiastical courts. Thomas refused to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164 and was driven into exile in France for six years. When he returned to England in 1170, after a partial reconciliation with Henry, he excommunicated several bishops who had violated Church rights during his absence. Henry's furious outburst, Who will rid me of this turbulent priest, was taken as a command by four knights who travelled to Canterbury and murdered Thomas in his own cathedral on December 29, 1170.

He was canonised within three years of his death by Pope Alexander III in 1173, and his shrine in Canterbury Cathedral became the most important pilgrimage destination in England. His feast is celebrated on December 29th.