Match the key words needed for this lesson to the correct definitions and stick in your book. Pope- Someone who dies for their religion. Archbishop- Religious people who had taken an oath to serve God. Knights- Head of Roman Catholic Church. Barons- Under the king but very powerful and rich. Clergy- Men who gave military service to the King. Canterbury- VERY important religious person in England. Cathedral- A place in southern England. Martyr- A large English Church. Match the key words needed for this lesson to the correct definitions and stick in your book. Pope- Someone who dies for their religion. Archbishop- Religious people who had taken an oath to serve God. Knights- Head of Roman Catholic Church. Barons- Under the king but very powerful and rich. Clergy- Men who gave military service to the King. Canterbury- VERY important religious person in England. Cathedral- A place in southern England. Martyr- A large English Church.

Quick Quiz What was the relationship between Henry and Thomas Beckett? What did Thomas become? What did Thomas believe he had to do as Archbishop? How did Henry react to this? What did the knights decide to do about this? Where did the knights go? What was most likely the aim of the knights? Why did Beckett not lock the Cathedral lock the door? What did Beckett do when the knights came into the Cathedral? What happened to Thomas Beckett? What did the knights shout as they left? What was Thomas known as? How did Henry feel about this? How was Henry punished for the murder. Quick Quiz What was the relationship between Henry and Thomas Beckett? What did Thomas become? What did Thomas believe he had to do as Archbishop? How did Henry react to this? What did the knights decide to do about this? Where did the knights go? What was most likely the aim of the knights? Why did Beckett not lock the Cathedral lock the door? What did Beckett do when the knights came into the Cathedral? What happened to Thomas Beckett? What did the knights shout as they left? What was Thomas known as? How did Henry feel about this? How was Henry punished for the murder.

Thomas Beckett and Henry Thomas Beckett and King Henry were best friends. King Henry made Beckett the archbishop. Beckett tried to make the church more powerful. King Henry and Beckett argued a lot. King Henry shouted ‘won’t someone get rid of this troublesome priest’? Some of Henry’s Knights rode to Beckett’s church and killed him. Thomas Beckett and Henry Thomas Beckett and King Henry were best friends. King Henry made Beckett the archbishop. Beckett tried to make the church more powerful. King Henry and Beckett argued a lot. King Henry shouted ‘won’t someone get rid of this troublesome priest’? Some of Henry’s Knights rode to Beckett’s church and killed him. Thomas Beckett and Henry Thomas Beckett and King Henry were best friends. King Henry made Beckett the archbishop. Beckett tried to make the church more powerful. King Henry and Beckett argued a lot. King Henry shouted ‘won’t someone get rid of this troublesome priest’? Some of Henry’s Knights rode to Beckett’s church and killed him. Thomas Beckett and Henry Thomas Beckett and King Henry were best friends. King Henry made Beckett the archbishop. Beckett tried to make the church more powerful. King Henry and Beckett argued a lot. King Henry shouted ‘won’t someone get rid of this troublesome priest’? Some of Henry’s Knights rode to Beckett’s church and killed him.

Thomas Beckett and Henry II Thomas Becket's life and death were remarkable. The son of a wealthy commoner, he rose to become Chancellor, a post given to him by Henry, such was his trust in Becket. In 1162 he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Henry. He became a strong defender of the Church and the rights of clergymen. This was contrary to the loyalty Henry had expected from Becket. At the time the Church held great wealth and power over monarchs and their people. With the support of the Pope in Rome, Becket represented an even greater power. Key events in the lead up to Beckett’s murder Becket refused to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon – he said that it would mean that priests were punished twice for the same crime. At a Great Council held at Northampton in 1164, Becket was found guilty of treason. Becket fled to France. In 1170, the Pope threatened to excommunicate Henry, so Henry let Becket return to England. Becket had won. Then Becket excommunicated three bishops who supported Henry. In rage, Henry is said to have shouted: Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?. Four knights heard this and, in a misplaced effort to please Henry, rode to Canterbury, and murdered Becket at the altar of the Cathedral on 29 December 1170. Becket also enjoyed the support of the people. Every village and town had priests and churches that were the centre of all life. Health, holidays, learning and the “gateway to heaven” revolved around devotion to the faith. The Church as guardians of all this, held great power and influence over the people. Any action against the Church was certain to bring divine punishment against the guilty person and his people - even if that action was taken by a king. The Becket affair was an argument between the king and the Church about power. It ended in notorious circumstances, with Becket beheaded in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Henry viewed Becket as a nuisance, “the turbulent priest”, but Becket has been viewed as an example and martyr to religious people and was canonised almost immediately after his murder. Becket has been the subject of debate ever since his death: was he a saint or a troublemaker? In 1174 Henry II did penance at Becket's tomb, but by then the damage to Henry's reputation was done.

Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury Interpretations Task sheet Task 3: Why do the two accounts of Thomas Becket differ? (Use the interpretations question sheet) Task 1: Similarities between Interpretation 1 and 2 Differences between Interpretations 1 and 2 Task 2: Three key words which sum up each authors view of Beckett. Interpretation 1 Interpretation 2