St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

December 29, Christmas Season

Birth, family background, education, and early life
Thomas Becket, sometimes called Thomas à Becket, is the son of Gilbert, sheriff of London, and Matilda, both of Norman descent. He was born on December 21 in London, studied at Merton Priory in Surrey, studied law in London, and continued his studies at the University of Paris. When his parents died when he was twenty-one, he went to work for a relative in London. Still in difficult circumstances, in 1411 A.D. he joined the household of Archbishop Theobold of Canterbury, who sent him on several missions to Rome: to Bologna in 1144 A.D., and to Auxerre to study common law.

Ordination and entrance into political life
Thomas was ordained a deacon in 1154 A.D. and nominated by Theobold as the archdeacon of Canterbury. There he became a close friend and confidant of Henry of Anjou, soon to become King Henry II of England. Thomas became a favorite of Henry of Anjou when he convinced Pope Eugene III not to recognize the succession of King Stephen of Blois' son, Eustace, thus ensuring Henry's right to the English throne as Henry II. Thomas was then appointed chancellor of England by Henry in 1155 A.D. and soon became the most powerful man in England next to Henry. Enjoying a lifestyle in power, Thomas became famous for the luxury and magnificence of his position. However, Thomas was also known for his generosity to the poor and greatly assisted Henry in formulating reforms in the justice system that was instituted during his tenure.

Archbishop of Canterbury
Upon the death of Archbishop Theobold of Canterbury in 1161 A.D., the king nominated Thomas to be the archbishop of Canterbury. Thomas strenuously objected, and refused the position until told by the Holy See that he should accept the nomination. Thomas however warned Henry that nominating him would vastly undermine their good relationship. And indeed, this proved to be true because upon election to archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas resigned his position as chancellor and was ordained a priest on the day before his consecration as archbishop in May 1162 A.D.

Conversion, change of style of living, and conflict with the King
As archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas undertook an austere style of living. He became monastic in spirit, wearing a hairshirt underneath his cassock, and devoted much of his time to prayer and the study of Scripture. As he changed his life completely and became a strong Church leader, Thomas soon clashed with the King over clerical and Church rights. One of these conflicts occurred when Thomas rejected the Constitution of Clarendon which effectively gave the king power over the Church. In this conflict, Thomas was forced to flee to France for safety. After several years of acrimony between Thomas and the King, a reconciliation of sorts took place.

Return to England, final confrontation, and death
Knowing that it would mean his death, Thomas returned to England in 1170 A.D. from his exile in France. Shortly after arriving in England, Thomas sent letters of excommunication to the bishops of London and Salisbury, and a letter of suspension to the archbishop of York. The three bishops immediately set out for France to seek an audience with Henry II, who was in that country at the time. When the bishops informed Henry of Thomas' deeds, the King, who was given to fits of uncontrolled rage cried out, "Won't somebody rid me of this troublesome priest!" While it is doubtful that Henry really intended the death of Thomas, four of Henry's knights took him at his word and, on December 29, 1170 A.D., murdered Thomas in his cathedral at Canterbury. The murder of Thomas shocked all of Europe.

Martyrdom and sainthood
Thomas Becket was at once proclaimed a martyr and, in 1173 A.D., Pope Alexander III declared him a saint. The following year, Henry II was forced to undergo a public penance for the death of Thomas in response to the demands of the general populace. Until it was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538 A.D., the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket became one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Europe.