Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Thomas Becket

•Download as PPTX, PDF•
•
M
ma10091

Thomas Becket was originally a friend and advisor to King Henry II of England. However, after being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket began asserting the rights and independence of the church, coming into conflict with the King's desire for power over the clergy. This led to Becket being exiled, though he later returned. In 1170, knights loyal to the angry King killed Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, making him a martyr for the church's independence from royal power. King Henry was later forced to publicly repent to regain acceptance after Becket's assassination.

1 of 11
Rev. Mark Armstrong and Jake Spencer
Early Life  Beckett was born in 1118 or 1120, depending on the source, in Cheapside, London. His parents were not wealthy. His father was a petty knight and his mother was a housewife. He started off as a merchant but then went to school and got educated.  He made some friends and became the assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Rise to Power  After being educated in England and becoming an assistant to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury (leader of the church in England), King Henry the II asked Theobald for advice on who to choose for a government advisor position. Theobald chose Becket. After Becket was appointed Chancellor, he was involved in the distribution of charter and letters, becoming close friends with the king.
Election to Archbishop  When Theobald died in 1162, Henry chose Becket to be Archbishop of Canterbury. Although Becket was quite under qualified, with a reputation of cruelty and material greed, he was appointed because he was good friends with the king. Despite these under qualifications, he turned out to not be too bad of an archbishop, slowing down his hedonistic behavior in his old age.
Archbishopship  Henry elected Thomas because he believe Thomas would put the government before the Church. He was mistaken: Thomas turned his life around and gave up material pleasures, instead choosing a life of simplicity and helping others.
Disputes with the Crown  In 1163, Becket began to resent the King for holding too much power over the church. He stopped defending royal interests within the church and began promoting ecclesiast- ical rights.  The biggest problem was with what to do with clerics and clergymen who committed crimes. Since there were quite a high number of church messengers and clerks, all considered within the employ of the church, there were a high number of crimes that needed punishment. Thomas believed that the church had the right to try and punish them, while Henry said it was the right of the government.
Disputes Continued  Another issue that Thomas cited frequently was the King’s seizing of church lands. Thomas frequently complained to Henry about this, and it was only a matter of time before Henry exploded.
Exile Thomas was caught in 1164 trying to get into France without Royal permission. This provided the King with a reason to kick him out. He was taken to royal court and found guilty of multiple constitutional crimes. He fled in November of 1164, leaving to continental Europe. While in exile, out of spite, he excommunicated a few of Henry’s closest friends.
Return and death  The Pope allowed Thomas to return in the middle of 1170. Thomas still continued all of Henry’s friends. This led to Henry making the famous statement: "Will no one rid me of the turbulent priest?”  4 of his knights took this literally and conspired to kill him. On December 29, 1170, they rode out to Canterbury, found him in the church, and cut the top of his head out, spewing his brains about the church.
Aftermath  Thomas Becket became a martyr symbol within the church and a hero to the people for standing up against the king. He was even canonized as a saint by the pope.  King Henry humbled himself to perform a public penance in 1174. He walked through the streets on Canterbury in beggar’s clothing, being symbolically whipped.
Sources  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket  www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/becket  www.historylearningsite.co.uk/thomas_ becket.htm

More Related Content

Thomas Becket

  • 1. Rev. Mark Armstrong and Jake Spencer
  • 2. Early Life  Beckett was born in 1118 or 1120, depending on the source, in Cheapside, London. His parents were not wealthy. His father was a petty knight and his mother was a housewife. He started off as a merchant but then went to school and got educated.  He made some friends and became the assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • 3. Rise to Power  After being educated in England and becoming an assistant to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury (leader of the church in England), King Henry the II asked Theobald for advice on who to choose for a government advisor position. Theobald chose Becket. After Becket was appointed Chancellor, he was involved in the distribution of charter and letters, becoming close friends with the king.
  • 4. Election to Archbishop  When Theobald died in 1162, Henry chose Becket to be Archbishop of Canterbury. Although Becket was quite under qualified, with a reputation of cruelty and material greed, he was appointed because he was good friends with the king. Despite these under qualifications, he turned out to not be too bad of an archbishop, slowing down his hedonistic behavior in his old age.
  • 5. Archbishopship  Henry elected Thomas because he believe Thomas would put the government before the Church. He was mistaken: Thomas turned his life around and gave up material pleasures, instead choosing a life of simplicity and helping others.
  • 6. Disputes with the Crown  In 1163, Becket began to resent the King for holding too much power over the church. He stopped defending royal interests within the church and began promoting ecclesiast- ical rights.  The biggest problem was with what to do with clerics and clergymen who committed crimes. Since there were quite a high number of church messengers and clerks, all considered within the employ of the church, there were a high number of crimes that needed punishment. Thomas believed that the church had the right to try and punish them, while Henry said it was the right of the government.
  • 7. Disputes Continued  Another issue that Thomas cited frequently was the King’s seizing of church lands. Thomas frequently complained to Henry about this, and it was only a matter of time before Henry exploded.
  • 8. Exile Thomas was caught in 1164 trying to get into France without Royal permission. This provided the King with a reason to kick him out. He was taken to royal court and found guilty of multiple constitutional crimes. He fled in November of 1164, leaving to continental Europe. While in exile, out of spite, he excommunicated a few of Henry’s closest friends.
  • 9. Return and death  The Pope allowed Thomas to return in the middle of 1170. Thomas still continued all of Henry’s friends. This led to Henry making the famous statement: "Will no one rid me of the turbulent priest?”  4 of his knights took this literally and conspired to kill him. On December 29, 1170, they rode out to Canterbury, found him in the church, and cut the top of his head out, spewing his brains about the church.
  • 10. Aftermath  Thomas Becket became a martyr symbol within the church and a hero to the people for standing up against the king. He was even canonized as a saint by the pope.  King Henry humbled himself to perform a public penance in 1174. He walked through the streets on Canterbury in beggar’s clothing, being symbolically whipped.