Thomas Becket (aka Thomas á Becket) was chancellor to Henry II of England (r. 1154-1189) and then archbishop of Canterbury (1162 to 1170). Thomas repeatedly clashed with his sovereign over the relationship between the Crown and Church, particularly the right of Church courts to try clerics. Thomas was murdered by four knights in Canterbury Cathedral on 29 December 1170.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1118 - 1170Life of the Saint Thomas Becket.
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1146A young Thomas Becket assumes the role of clerk to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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1155Thomas Becket is appointed chancellor by Henry II of England.
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1162 - 1170Thomas Becket serves as Archbishop of Canterbury.
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1164In the Constitutions of Clarendon Henry II of England sets out the primacy of Common Law.
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Oct 1164A meeting of nobles called by Henry II of England at Northampton rules that Thomas Becket is guilty of contempt of royal authority.
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Oct 1164 - Dec 1170Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, lives in exile in a monastery in France.
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29 Dec 1170Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.
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1173Thomas Becket is made a saint by the Pope.
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1174Henry II of England is obliged to perform penance for the murder of Thomas Becket.
