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St Thomas Becket b.1118 d.1170
According to one source Thomas Becket was the son of Gilbert Becket, sheriff of London, another relates that both parents were of Norman blood. We do know for certain that the future chancellor and archbishop of Canterbury was born on St Thomas day 1118, of a good family, and that he was educated in Sussex, and later at the University of Paris. He returned to England when his parents died and obtained a position as clerk in the sheriff’s office, where he showed great ability.
At the age of twenty-four Thomas was given a post in the household of Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury and, from there, began his career in the church.
After studying canon law at the university of Belogna and then Auxerre, France he returned to England to become provost of Beverley, and canon of Lincoln and St Paul’s cathedral’s. His ordination as deacon was in 1154.
Theobald appointed him archdeacon of Canterbury, the highest ecclesiastical office in England after a bishopric or abbacy, and entrusted him with the most intricate affairs. When Henry of Anjou, great grandson of William the Conqueror, was crowned King Henry II of England he wasted little time appointing the gifted churchman chancellor.
In 1161 archbishop Theobald died, King Henry was then in Normandy with Thomas, whom he resolved to make the next primate of England. Thomas demurred saying, “Should God permit me to be archbishop of Canterbury, I would lose your majesty’s favour, and the affection with which you honour me would be changed into hatred.” The young King paid no heed and, in May 1162, the forty-four year old Thomas rode to Canterbury where he was first ordained priest by Walter, bishop of Rochester, and then on the octave of Pentecost consecrated archbishop by the bishop of Winchester. Shortly afterwards he recieved the pallium sent by Pope Alexander III.
Thomas resigned the chancellorship, against the King’s wish, yet the friendship between the two men seemed unchanged for a time. But trouble was brewing, and the centre of it alll was the relationship between church and state.
On December 29th 1170 four knights broke into the cloisters of Canterbury cathedral shouting, “Where is Thomas the traitor?” ”Where is the archbishop?” “Here I am,” he replied, “no traitor, but archbishop and priest of God!” He came down the steps between the alters of Our Lady and St Benedict.
“I am ready to die,” he continued, “but ?God’s curse on you if you harm my people.” A blow was struck and, with blood running down his face, he cried out, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit!” Another blow came and, falling to his knee’s he murmured, “For the name of Jesus and in defence of his church I am willing to die.”
With two further blows he was dead; the murderers now dashed away through the cloisters shouting, “The King’s men! The King’s men!”
Within three years of his death the archbishop had been canonized as a martyr and the feast of St Thomas of Canterbury is now kept throughout the Roman Catholic Church, and in England he is regarded as the protector of the secular clergy.
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