| [pending revision] | [pending revision] |
Content deleted Content added
revert (vandalism) |
|||
Line 29:
He engaged in a conflict with King [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] over the rights and privileges of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Church]] and was [[assassinated]] by followers of the king in [[Canterbury Cathedral]]. He is also commonly known as '''Thomas à Becket''', although this form may not have been contemporary.<ref> He was allegedly given the "à" in his name many years after he died by uncertain sources, perhaps with the subliminal intention of alluding to [[Thomas à Kempis]]. However, the ''Oxford Dictionary of English'', the ''New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors'' and ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary'' all prefer St Thomas à Becket.</ref>
==Early life==
Thomas Becket was born in about [[1118]] at [[Cheapside]], London, to Gilbert of [[Thierceville]], [[Normandy]], and Matilda (with a familiar name of Roheise or Rosea) of [[Caen]].<ref>Barlow, Frank (2004). ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''. Oxford University Press. </ref> His parents were of the upper-middle class near [[Rouen]].
One of Thomas's father's rich friends, Richer de L'Aigle, was attracted to the sisters of Thomas. He often invited Thomas to his estates in [[Sussex]]. There, Thomas learned to ride a horse, hunt, behave like a gentleman, and engage in popular sports such as jousting. Beginning when he was 10, Becket received an excellent education in civil and canon law at [[Merton Priory]] in England, and then overseas at [[Paris]], [[Bologna]], and [[Auxerre]]. Richer was later a signatory at the [[Constitutions of Clarendon]] against Thomas.
Upon returning to the [[Kingdom of England]], he attracted the notice of [[Theobald of Bec|Theobald]], archbishop of Canterbury, who entrusted him with several important missions to Rome and finally made him archdeacon of Canterbury and provost of [[Beverley]]. He so distinguished himself by his zeal and efficiency that Theobald commended him to King [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] when the important office of [[Lord Chancellor]] was vacant.
Henry, like all the [[Norman dynasty|Norman]] kings, desired to be absolute ruler of his dominions, both Church and State, and could find precedents in the traditions of the throne when he planned to do away with the special privileges of the English clergy, which he regarded as fetters on his authority. As Chancellor, Becket enforced the king’s [[danegeld]] taxes, a traditional medieval land tax that was exacted from all landowners, including churches and bishoprics. This created both a hardship and a resentment of Becket among the English Churchmen. To further implicate Becket as a secular man, he became an accomplished and extravagant [[courtier]] and a cheerful companion to the king's pleasures. Young Thomas was devoted to his master's interests with such a firm and yet diplomatic thoroughness that scarcely anyone, except perhaps [[John of Salisbury]], doubted his allegiance to English royalty.
King Henry even sent his son [[Henry the Young King|Henry]], later the "Young King", to live in Becket's household, it being the custom then for noble children to be fostered out to other noble houses. Later that would be one of the reasons his son would turn against him, having formed an emotional attachment to Becket as a foster-father. Henry the Young King was reported to have said Becket showed him more fatherly love in a day than his father did for his entire life.
==Primacy==
| |||