thomas becket

Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury

Becket's murder date

Constitutions of Clarendon

Henry II's attempt to limit Church power (1164).

Becket's exile start

Duration of Becket's exile

6 years.

Location of Becket's murder

Canterbury Cathedral.

Becket's famous phrase about criminous clerks

"God does not try twice."

Becket's declaration in 1173

A saint.

Reason for pilgrims to flock to Canterbury

Miracles at Becket's shrine.

Role of stained glass in Becket's cult

Visual storytelling of Becket's miracles.

Ampulla

Pilgrim flask holding Becket's holy water.

Becket's role before archbishop

Henry II's chancellor.

Henry's response to Becket's martyrdom

Public penance in 1174.

William of Canterbury's Miracles of St Thomas

Recorded posthumous miracles

Edward Grim's eyewitness account

Detailed Becket's murder

John of Salisbury's letters

Insight into Becket's political alliances and strategies.

Roger of Pontigny's Life of Becket

Focused on Becket's holiness and conflict with Henry.

The Becket Windows (Canterbury)

Illustrated Becket's miracles

Peter of Blois' letters

Reflected contemporary clerical perspectives on Becket.

Benedict of Peterborough's miracle collection

Chronicled healing miracles at Becket's tomb.

Main principles at stake in the Becket-Henry conflict

Royal authority vs. Church autonomy.

Gerald of Wales on medieval kingship

Kings must "do right and justice."

Significance of Becket's opposition to the Constitutions of Clarendon

It symbolized the Church's resistance to royal control.

Becket's justification for his actions

He acted as a "guardian of the Church's rights."

Henry's anger in the conflict

Sparked the infamous outburst leading to Becket's murder.

Significance of the Council of Northampton in 1164

Becket was charged with financial misconduct

Role of exile in Becket's cult

Strengthened his reputation as a defender of Church rights.

Reason for Becket's quick canonization (1173)

Miracles at his tomb and widespread popular devotion.

Political benefit of Becket's martyrdom for Henry II

Enabled reconciliation with the Church and his subjects.

Importance of miracle stories for Becket's cult

Demonstrated divine favor and encouraged pilgrimages.

Support of Becket Lives for his cult

Portrayed him as a saintly martyr and a defender of faith.

What made Becket a saint for ordinary people

Healing miracles and popular pilgrimage culture.

Rules of the game in the Becket-Henry conflict

Rituals of power

Material culture's role in Becket's cult

Pilgrim badges

Canterbury's role in the Becket cult

Shrine site

Significance of Becket's death in Canterbury Cathedral

Made him a martyr and sanctified the location.

Spread of Becket's cult outside England

Through relics

John of Salisbury's role in the Becket conflict

Key ally who shaped his posthumous image.

Church's use of Becket's memory politically

As a symbol of resistance to royal overreach.