1. The murder of Thomas Becket
« A personality clash at the centre of the dispute »
By Juliet de Smet, Katy Naydenova, Lucie Georjon and Bianca Bucuroiu

2. Brief overview Thomas Becket His murder
The personality clash – What? Which view?
Validity of this view?

3. Thomas Becket 12th century archbishop and chancellor
Birth around 1120, son of a prosperous London merchant
Agent to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury – missions to Rome => Archbishop in 1161
Disagreements with King Henry II
Exile to France ( )
Murdered the 29th December 1170 in the Canterbury Cathedral
Canonised in 1173 – shrine important focus for pilgrimage

4. His murder In Canterbury Cathedral: Becket =>
cornered by four knights; restoration of the
excommunicated bishops’ powers
Becket’s refusal => agreement: people protected
Pulled down and killed

5. The personality clash at the centre of the dispute – our view
What is a personality clash?
Two or more people (very different personalities); good relationship with each other = unable
Becket : common man (frank enjoyment for wealth) => no aptitude for a spiritual life; death of the archbishop, decision of his succession by Henry
Bishops uneasy: - courtier being made archbishop, -no great amount of education, - on the kings’ side and not the Church’s side (war taxes)

6. The cause of the conflict: “criminal clerics”
12th century: clerics accused of crimes => ecclesiastical courts (murderers and rapists not hung, merely expelled from the clergy)
Objection of many lay people to this standard
Henry => eliminate or modify this privilege of clergy; most bishops willing but not Thomas
Decision of Henry (betrayed by Becket) to destroy him (harassment)
Flee of Becket to the continent (lived for years in exile); Becket’s return to England (no reconciliation) => decision of his murder by Henry to his men

7. Validity of this view?
Principle conflict => major crisis (different personalities between Henry II and Thomas Becket)
Protection of their own principles:
- reforming popes: independency of clergy and power over the clergy (purification of the Church); would work with and for the king, Henry II -> power over the Church
- Thomas Becket: against royal influence over Church (ecclesiastical liberties and clerical independence) <- new and unusual situation
Disagreement => conflict with King Henry II (Thomas Becket: archbishop of Canterbury => decision of his murder by the King)