The Assassination of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral: A Turning Point in Medieval History
Featured in "A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
In “A Symphony of Echoes” by Jodi Taylor, the team from St Mary’s Institute of Historical Research jump to Canterbury and witness the murder of Thomas Becket.
The assassination of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, on December 29, 1170, within the hallowed walls of Canterbury Cathedral, remains one of the most infamous and consequential events in medieval European history. Becket’s violent death at the hands of four knights sent shockwaves across Christendom and forever altered the course of church-state relations in England.
Thomas Becket was born in London circa 1118 and rose to prominence as a trusted advisor and close friend of King Henry II of England. In 1162, Becket was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest ecclesiastical office in England, by King Henry in a bid to assert royal authority over the church. However, Becket’s newfound allegiance to the church and his staunch defence of its privileges put him at odds with the king, leading to a bitter and protracted conflict between church and state.
Tensions between Becket and Henry came to a head in 1170 when Becket excommunicated several bishops who had sided with the king in a dispute over church jurisdiction.
Enraged by Becket’s defiance, Henry reportedly uttered the infamous words, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
Four of Henry’s knights, taking the king’s words as a command, travelled to Canterbury Cathedral and confronted Becket in the presence of his clergy and congregation.
In a savage and shocking act of violence, the knights brutally murdered Becket at the altar of the cathedral, striking him down with swords and leaving his body mutilated and bloodied. The assassination sent shockwaves across Europe and provoked outrage among the clergy and the general populace, who viewed Becket as a martyr for the church and a defender of its independence.
News of Becket’s assassination spread rapidly throughout England and Europe, sparking widespread condemnation of King Henry and his perceived encroachment on church authority. Becket was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1173, and Canterbury Cathedral became a major pilgrimage site, attracting throngs of the faithful seeking solace and redemption at Becket’s shrine.
In a bid to atone for his role in Becket’s death, King Henry undertook a public penance at Canterbury Cathedral in 1174, walking barefoot and in sackcloth to Becket’s tomb and submitting himself to the discipline of the church. The event marked a symbolic victory for the church over the secular authority of the monarchy and cemented Becket’s status as a revered saint and martyr.
The assassination of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral stands as a pivotal moment in medieval history, marking the culmination of a bitter power struggle between church and state and the triumph of ecclesiastical authority over royal prerogative. Becket’s martyrdom remains a potent symbol of religious freedom and resistance against tyranny, inspiring generations of believers and shaping the course of English history for centuries to come.
To discover how Max and the team fared in Canterbury please read “A Symphony of Echoes” by Jodi Taylor. It’s available in paperback, eBook and audiobook formats.
I hope you have enjoyed this foray into history. Please subscribe to read more articles like this one. CLICK HERE to read more History Briefings.