Thomas Becket and Henry II Flashcards
Henry II and Thomas Becket were initially…
…the best of friends
What did Becket and Henry enjoy doing together early in their friendship?
drinking, hunting and chasing women
What was the first job King Henry gave to Thomas Becket?
Chancellor
What did a Chancellor do?
Ran the country when the king was away
Once Henry got so angry that he…
Tore all his clothes off, got on the floor and started chewing straw
What was Henry’s problem with Church courts?
Henry thought Church courts were too soft and that, as a result, there was too much crime.
- For example, in the king’s court, a thief might have his hands cut off as punishment.
- In a Church court, a thief would normally be sent on a pilgrimage
How many people worked for the Church at this time?
1 in 6
Why did Henry make Becket Archbishop of Canterbury?
So he would have an ally inside the Church who could make the courts stricter
Why didn’t Henry’s Archbishop plan work?
Becket became very religious as Archbishop. He wore a itchy, goat-hair shirt, prayed every day and slept on the floor. He also stopped getting drunk.
He also refused to makes changes to the Church courts when asked to do so by Henry
When Henry lost his temper with Becket, how long did Becket flee to France for?
6 years
What did Becket do when he returned to England?
He excommunicated all the bishops who had helped Henry run the Church will Becket was away.
What did Henry shout when he found out Becket had excommunicated his bishops?
‘Is there no one who will rid me of this troublesome priest?’
Where was Thomas Becket murdered?
In Canterbury Cathedral
Who killed Thomas Becket?
Four of Henry’s knights
Why did Becket allow the knights into Canterbury Cathedral?
He said, ‘It’s not right to make a fortress out of a house of prayer’
