King Henry VIII.
Over 350 years after Thomas Becket’s death, his shrine was destroyed by agents of King Henry VIII.
What happened to Thomas Becket’s tomb?
50 years after his murder, the remains of Thomas Becket were carefully removed from his tomb in the cathedral’s crypt and transferred (or ‘translated’) to a bejewelled and golden casket in a purpose-built chapel behind the high altar.
Why did Henry VIII destroy Thomas Becket’s shrine?
The shrine of Saint Thomas was especially problematic for King Henry VIII. By this time, Becket was being remembered as someone who lost his life standing up to the royal authority – something Henry did not want to encourage. Becket was declared a banned saint and in the year 1538 Becket’s shrine was destroyed.
Who was the king that ordered Thomas Becket’s death?
King Henry II of England
Archbishop Thomas Becket is brutally murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights of King Henry II of England, apparently on orders of the king.
Who was King of England in Becket’s?
King Henry II
St. Thomas Becket, also called Thomas à Becket or Thomas of London, (born c. 1118, Cheapside, London, England—died December 29, 1170, Canterbury, Kent; canonized 1173; feast day December 29), chancellor of England (1155–62) and archbishop of Canterbury (1162–70) during the reign of King Henry II.
Who destroyed Thomas Becket’s tomb?
King Henry VIII
Over 350 years after Thomas Becket’s death, his shrine was destroyed by agents of King Henry VIII.
What were Thomas Becket’s last words?
‘Willingly I die in the name of Jesus and in defence of the Church. ‘ These were Becket’s last words, so reported. Almost overnight he became a hero.
Why was the king mad at Thomas Becket?
King Henry and Becket remained good friends until they clashed over clerical privilege. Henry stated that the church was subject to the law of the land, but Becket insisted that the Church was above the law.
What did Henry do to Becket?
On 29 December 1170, 850 years ago, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights from Henry II’s household. The murder shocked medieval society. Becket quickly came to be seen as a martyr, people prayed to him, and he was believed to work miracles.
Why is he called Thomas a Becket?
Thomas Becket was the son of Norman settlers who lived in the city of London. His father was a merchant who traveled among the circles of French-speaking Norman immigrants. The name “Becket” is likely a nickname, possibly meaning beak or nose, which was given to his father.
What happened between King Henry II and Thomas Becket?
Henry and Becket argued over tax policy and control of church land but the biggest conflict was over legal rights of the clergy. Becket claimed that if a church official was accused of a crime, only the church itself had the ability to put the person on trial.
Who were the 4 knights that murdered Becket?
Although there are some uncertainties about precise dates, there is no doubt that Becket’s murderers (Reginald FitzUrse, William de Tracy, Richard Brito and Hugh de Morville) were not received or protected by Henry II, although he seems to have taken no overt action against them.
What did King Henry II say about Becket?
Eventually, Henry became so fed up that he is said to have exclaimed: “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Taking this as an indirect order, four of Henry II’s knights murdered Thomas Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral.
What did Thomas Becket refuse to do?
While in France, he excommunicated several of the English bishops. Naturally, the English bishops did not want him back when he returned. Despite Henry’s pleas, Thomas was adamant, refusing to absolve the excommunicated.
What happened to Henry after Becket died?
In 1174, Henry faced a rebellion from his sons, supported by the French. He travelled to Becket’s tomb at Canterbury and declared the uprising was his punishment for what happened to Becket. He allowed himself to be whipped by bishops while he prayed for forgiveness.
Who did Thomas Becket betray?
The Becket controversy or Becket dispute was the quarrel between Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket and King Henry II of England from 1163 to 1170.
Where are relics of St Thomas Becket?
*A reliquary within the Martyr’s Chapel of this church, located within the right transept, contains three relics of St Thomas Becket.
What was purported to have happened to Becket’s corpse after the sack of Canterbury Cathedral and the destruction of the shrine inside?
Four knights took the king at his word and killed Becket, attacking him with their swords in his own cathedral. After his shrine’s destruction, Becket’s body is thought to have been burned or reburied elsewhere.