1. Saint Thomas Becket By: Me With assistance from: Myself and I

2. His Predecessor Theobald held the position of Archbishop before Becket He mentored Becket once Becket was out of school Theobald recommended Becket as Archdeacon of Canterbury

3. Various Positions Held Becket’s first official title was Archdeacon of Canterbury After Henry II was made monarch, he appointed Becket as his Chancellor Next he was ordained priest, consecrated bishop the next day, and finally named Archbishop of Canterbury

4. Constitutions of Clarendon Basically bypassed the Church courts and Papal authorities for any crimes within the Church Becket refused to sign it causing an outrage from King Henry Becket fled into voluntary exile in France to escape his reach

5. Becket vs. King Henry II While in France, Becket excommunicated several of the king’s councillors and threatened to do the same to him In 1169, a reconciliation was attempted but ruined King Henry ruined it by having the Archbishop of York crown Prince Henry Becket suspended all those involved in that coronation

6. Four Dumb Knights Hearing of Becket’s difficult behavior, King Henry, still in France, shouted, “Will no-one rid me of this troublesome priest” Overhearing this, four knights return to Canterbury and confront Becket in the cathedral He again refused to lift his excommunications and suspensions and was struck down at the altar

7. The King’s Reaction Upon receiving word of Becket’s death, King Henry was distraught, we couldn't help but feel responsible He took his lashings from the Catholic Church as punishment Also, as an act of penitence he wore sackcloth and ashes and starved himself for three days

8. After His Death Becket was immediately praised as a martyr and was later canonized in 1173 Becoming a Saint was his final “position” His shrine was one of the wealthiest and most famous in Europe throughout the Middle Ages

9. Becket Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1nX1nf820