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Biography of Thomas Becket, St.Name: Thomas Becket, St.Birth Date: c. 1128 Death Date: December 29, 1170 Place of Birth: England Nationality: English Gender: Male Occupations: saint, prelate Thomas Becket, St. The English prelate St. Thomas Becket (ca. 1128-1170) was murdered because of his defense of the special privileges of the clergy and his opposition to the ecclesiastical policy of King Henry II.Thomas Becket (who called himself "Thomas of London") was the son of Gilbert Becket, merchant of London. He was educated at Merton Priory and later in London and Paris. Before 1143 he entered the service of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who recognized his abilities and allowed him to study at Bologna and Auxerre. Becket became archdeacon of Canterbury, canon of St. Paul's and of Lincoln, and provost of Beverley, in addition to other benefices.Early in 1155 Becket became chancellor to the young king Henry II and was soon his trusted adviser; as well as controlling the King's secretariat, he raised money for the King's wars, accompanied the King's armies, conducted diplomatic negotiations, and had charge of the King's eldest son. …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…matters Becket's opposition and death affected the law of England for nearly four centuries. Further Reading St. Thomas Becket has aroused controversy among historians as he did among contemporaries. There are few works on his life and times which are free from bias. The best is D. Knowles, Thomas Becket (1970). A popular biography is Richard Winston, Thomas Becket (1967). Z. N. Brooke, The English Church and the Papacy (1931), is the best general study in English. See also the more recent account by Austin Lane Poole, From Domesday Book to Magna Carta (1951; 2d ed. 1955). Becket's personality is examined in David Knowles, The Historian and Character (1963). A useful collection of sources is English Historical Documents, vol. 2, edited by David C. Douglas and G. W. Greenaway (1953). Pertinent readings are in Thomas M. Jones, ed., The Becket Controversy (1970). See also Robert Speaight's play, Thomas Becket (1938), and A. L. Duggan's novel, My Life for My Sheep (1955). |