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Thomas Becket St

YearDay/MonthTitle
Henry II (1154 - 1189)
1162 Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
 Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
 
1163Jul Council at Woodstock
 The council held at the Royal Palace of Woodstock near Oxford was the scene for a clash between Henry II and Thomas Becket over the control of payments to Sheriffs. Becket opposed the plan and was going to oppose more of Henry's reforms in the near future.
Oct Henry II puts plans of reform to Council of Westminster
 Henry II put his plans before the Council of Westminster to reform the judicial system allowing the courts power over members of the Church which had the luxury of their own courts. Thomas Becket stood against the plans starting a rift between him and Henry that would led to Becket's death.
 
1164Jan 30 Constitutions of Clarendon
 A series of statements laid down by Henry II regarding the relationship between the church and the state. One statement was the cause for the rift between Henry and Thomas Becket, that said that a member of the church who committed a crime should be available to be tried in a state court and not just a church one. Clarendon is near Salisbury.
Apr 19 Reading Abbey consecrated
 Thomas Becket consecrated the abbey at Reading on its completion in this year.
Oct 6 Council of Northampton
 Council of Northampton held to discuss the Welsh rebellion and the Constitution of Clarendon; the Council tried Thomas Becket (8.10) and found him guilty of perjury (failure to appear at Council) and heresy; he was sentenced to forfeiture of his possessions; the sentence was quashed by Alexander III and Becket fled to Lincoln (14.10) and then France (2.11).
Nov 2 Becket flees to France
 Becket flees to France.
 
1166 Becket excommunicates his enemies
 Richard de Lucy, joint Chief Justiciar in England, excommunicated by Thomas Becket.
 
1169Jan 6 Becket submits to Henry
 Henry II of England, Louis VII of France and Becket met at Montmirail; Becket submitted to Henry excepting only on point, and negotiations failed (7.1); a second meeting took place (7.2) at St. Leger-en-Yvelines, and a papal ultimatum served on Henry..
 
1170Jul 22 Becket and Henry at Freteval
 Conference between Henry II and Becket near Freteval, resulting in Becket?s partial restoration.
Dec 1 Thomas Becket returns to England
 Thomas Becket returned to England after hearing the Henry II had .......
Dec 29 Thomas Becket is murdered
 When Henry II heard that Thomas Becket had returned to England and was threatening to excommunicate his opponents, his outrage was such that four knights overhearing the King travelled to England and killed Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral.
 
1171Jan 1 Henry II told of the murder of Becket
 Henry II told of the murder of Becket.
 
1172May 21 Compromise of Avranches
 Even though Henry II was cleared of involvement in Thomas Becket's murder, he did penance before the Cathedral at Avranches in Normandy. The compromise was a deal struck between Henry and the church over the matter of Becket's death. (More detail required).
 
1173Feb 21 Becket canonised
 Becket was canonised by Pope Alexander III. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became extemely wealthy due to the number of pilgrims visiting it and donating money.
 
1174Jul 7 Whipping of Henry II
 Henry II accepted his part, even though indirect, in the killing of Thomas Becket. He was whipped by the monks of Canterbury as punishment.
 
Henry III (1216 - 1272)
1220Jul 7 Stephen Langton returns to England
 Stephen Langton returned to England and resumed the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. He performed a ceremony in Canterbury in which relics from St. Thomas Becket were put in a tomb. The 7th of July became St. Thomas of Canterbury's Day; a major holy day.

See Also

Richard de Lucy
Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury
Henry II, King of England 1154-1189
 Canterbury Cathedral
 Ripon Cathedral
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