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Murder in the Cathedral

1066–1500

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

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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.

Learning objectives

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Think

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

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.

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Henry decided that the best way to control the Church was to make Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, which he did in 1162.

Henry and Becket

Unfortunately for Henry, the plan backfired and Thomas became deeply religious.

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“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?

Becket

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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.

The arguments begin!

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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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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.

Why did Henry II and Becket quarrel?

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!