Murder in the Cathedral

1066–1500

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Learning objectives

This presentation covers:

1. Who Henry II and Thomas Becket were.

2. Why they fell out.

3. What happened at the cathedral.

4. What 'historical interpretation' is.

5. Whether you think Henry meant to kill Becket.

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The Church and the King

Henry II was a very powerful king. However, there was

one group Henry could not control: and that was the
Church.

Henry had a close friend called

Thomas Becket who had been
Henry’s closest adviser (his
chancellor). When the top job in the
Church came up, Henry said Thomas
should have it.

Think
Why do you think Henry wanted Thomas to have the job?

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Henry and Becket

Henry decided that the best way to control the Church

was to make Thomas Becket Archbishop of
Canterbury, which he did in 1162.

Unfortunately for Henry, the plan backfired and Thomas

became deeply religious.

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Becket

“When he was chancellor, he threw his house open to all

men … who came to the King’s court … His table shone
with gold and silver cups and bowls…” William
Fitzstephen, 1171.

“He wore a hair shirt of the roughest kind … and his usual
drink was water … Immediately over his hair-shirt he wore
the habit (clothes) of a monk … He entertained the outcast
and the needy in his house and he clothed many against
the severe cold of winter.” William Fitzstephen.

What do these sources tell you about Becket?

Do you think he took his new role seriously? Why?

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The arguments begin!

I not only became

religious, I also disagreed
with Henry. He thought
priests who did bad
things should be sent to
trial in the Kings' Courts
like ordinary men. The
Pope and I thought they
should be tried in Holy
Courts like they had in
the past.

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 “… Since it is certain that
Kings receive their
authority from the
Church, and the Church
receives hers … from
Christ, so … you have no
right to give orders to
bishops nor to drag
priests into royal courts.”

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Why did Henry II and Becket quarrel?

Henry saw it differently. He saw the Holy Courts as

being too soft on the priests who committed crimes and
he wanted to stop the Church having too much power. It
got so bad that Becket fled England to stay in France
for a bit!

In 1170, Henry decided to show Becket that he was not the

only archbishop in the country.

While Becket was in France, Henry got the

Archbishop of York to crown Henry's son as the
future King of England – and crowning kings
was Becket’s job!

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 Henry and I met up in
France in 1170. We
patched up the argument
we had and I returned to
England, but I could not
help but feel wronged by
some of my bishops.
As soon as I got back to
England I got rid of all
those bishops that
supported the King! They
were supposed to obey
the Pope (and me)!

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Henry's reaction

How would you feel if you were Henry?

Henry was told by other bishops that Thomas needed
sorting out! Henry flew into a rage when he heard about
what Thomas had done and uttered the words…

Will no one rid me of this

troublesome priest!
Four of Henry's knights overheard him…. what do
you think they did?

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The death of Becket

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Interpreting the murder

Thinking about the murder of Becket is like

thinking about a football match.

Two teams play a game. The result of the match will be

the same, no matter which side you are on, but your view
of the match will be different – that is interpretation!

Now think about the phrase:

"Will no-one rid me of this troublesome priest!”

Was it an order to kill? Or something said in a rage?

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Will no-one rid me of this troublesome priest!

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What do you think?

Did Henry want Becket dead?

Or was it blind rage?
Which would the Pope and Becket’s supporters
believe?
Which would the King’s supporters believe?

Create a speech or written

statement that says which version
you believe, why you believe it and
who (crown or Church) would
believe it. Remember, always try
and explain why!

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