Who was Thomas Becket?
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 by four knights of King Henry II. He became a saint and martyr, and his shrine attracted pilgrims for centuries.
Becket was born in London around 1120. He became a close friend and chancellor of Henry II, who made him Archbishop of Canterbury, expecting his support.
Instead, Becket defended the rights of the Church against the king, leading to bitter disputes. He went into exile in France for several years.
Murder in the cathedral
After Becket returned, Henry is reported to have said words often quoted as will no one rid me of this turbulent priest. Four knights traveled to Canterbury and killed Becket on 29 December 1170.
The murder shocked Europe. Becket was made a saint in 1173, and Henry did public penance at his tomb.
Canterbury became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe, inspiring Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.
Henry VIII destroyed Becket's shrine in 1538. A candle marks the site of the shrine in Canterbury Cathedral today.