The Becket crisis Flashcards
Consituties of the council of Lillebonne reissued
February 1162: Established Henry’s right to appoint ecclesiastical officials
Becket made ABC
1162 May
Becket resigns as Chancellor
Autumn 1162 (angers Henry) as his whole goal was to have Becket do both
Council of Westminster
Henry demands Bishops uphold customs of the realm (e.g. Henry’s right to elect ecclesiastical officials) Becket says saving his order, this enfuriates Henry.
Consequences of Council of Westminster (4 points)
seeks Legateship for Roger of York, Takes HTY out of Becket’s household, Removes all Beckets remaining honours and estates, castles of eyre and Berkhamsted, and supports Clarembald (abbot of St.Augustine’s monastery who was disputing Becket’s authority over him)
Council of Woodstock
1163: Becket refuses to pay sheriffs aid directly into the exchequer (traditionally paid by all tenants in chief)
Council of Clarendon
1164: Henry demands that (like at Westminster 1163) Bishops uphold the customs of the realm and handover criminous clerks but Becket refuses
Becket made papal legate
1166: denounces constituitions of Clarendon and excommunicates Henry’s justiciar
Henry’s brother William of Anjou seeks to marry Isabel Warenne (Stephen’s widow)
1162: This requires a dispensation, usually easily given, however Becket refuses.
Philip of Aumone sent to try and convince Becket to agree to the constitutions of Clarendon
Philip agrees with Henry and ratifies the constituitions of clarendon, however Becket writes to Pope Alexander, however he neither confirms nor denies the constitutions
Montmartre
November 1169: Becket and Henry try to make peace however Henry refuses to give the kiss of peace
Beckets previous loyalty to Henry
1155-62 had concluded important diplomacy with the French court - Helps Henry in raising revenue from church for his military campaigns
Council of Northhampton
Autumn 1164: Henry accuses Becket of embezzling money during his time as chancellor says he owes £300 and 500 marks for Toulouse campaign
Becket goes into exile
October 1164: hosted by Louis VII
Following Becket’s exile
Household, land and properties seized
Henry the Young coronated
June 1170: By the Archbishop of York (role traditionally given to the Archbishop of Canterbury)
Becket threatens Interdict
July 1170: threatens interdict over England following coronation of HTy
Peace at Freteval
1170: Allows Becket to come back to England and re-crown Margaret and HTY and doesn’t bring up constitutions of clarendon nor does he insist on the kiss of peace
As soon as Becket gets back to England
December 1170: As soon as Becket returns to England, he excommunicates Gilbert Foliot, Roger of York and Joscelyn of Salisbury
The excommunicated trio complain
Henry apparently says “who will rid me of this turbulent priest (4 knights go and dash his brains out in Westminster abbey)
Why Alexander III doesn’t allow Becket or Henry to gain a dominant position over eachother
Was forced to symbolically support Becket but also feared that Henry would support rival popes Calixtus III or Paschal III
Alexander prevents Becket inflicting harm on Henry or English bishops
July 1168: prevented from inflicting harm on Henry or other English bishops until march 1169
refuses to confirm consitutions of Clarendon
1164 Alexander III refuses to confirm the constitutions of clarendon ratified by Philip of Aumone
