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Becket, St Thomas à
Becket, St Thomas à (c.1118–70) English prelate and statesman. A close and influential friend of Henry II, he served as his Chancellor and in 1162 became Archbishop of Canterbury, a position Becket accepted with reluctance, foreseeing the inevitable conflict of interests between the king and the Church. He soon found himself in open opposition to Henry, first on a matter of taxation and later over the coronation of Henry's son. The king in anger uttered words that motivated four knights to assasinate Becket in his cathedral on 29 December. The murder aroused indignation throughout Europe, miracles were soon reported at his tomb, and Henry was obliged to do public penance there. The shrine became a major centre of pilgrimage until its destruction under Henry VIII (1538).
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"Becket, St Thomas à." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Becket, St Thomas à." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-BecketStThomas.html "Becket, St Thomas à." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-BecketStThomas.html |
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Becket, Saint Thomas à
Becket, Saint Thomas à (1118–70) English Church leader. He was appointed chancellor of England (1155), and became a friend of Henry II. In 1162 Henry made him archbishop of Canterbury, hoping for his support in asserting royal control, but Becket devoted his loyalty to the Church. His defence of clerical privileges against the monarchy led to fierce conflict. Becket spent six years in exile. Reconciliation was short-lived, as Becket turned on those (including the king) who had violated his rights during exile. Four of Henry's knights, falsely assuming they would gain the king's gratitude, killed Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Henry did penance and Becket was acclaimed a martyr. He was canonized in 1173.
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Cite this article
"Becket, Saint Thomas à." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Becket, Saint Thomas à." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-BecketSaintThomas.html "Becket, Saint Thomas à." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-BecketSaintThomas.html |
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Becket, St Thomas à
Becket, St Thomas à (c.1118–70), English prelate and statesman, Archbishop of Canterbury 1162–70. Initially a friend and supporter of Henry II, as archbishop he came into open opposition with the king, whose reported words ‘Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?’ are said to have sent four knights to assassinate Becket in his cathedral. Henry was obliged to do public penance at Becket's tomb, which became a major centre of pilgrimage until its destruction under Henry VIII (1538). His feast day is 29 December.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Becket, St Thomas à." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Becket, St Thomas à." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-BecketStThomas.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Becket, St Thomas à." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-BecketStThomas.html |
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Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket see Thomas à Becket, Saint . |
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Cite this article
"Thomas Becket." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Thomas Becket." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Becket-T.html "Thomas Becket." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Becket-T.html |
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