Thomas of Canterbury, a.k.a. Thomas Becket, is probably the most famous of the medieval archbishops of Canterbury. He came from a Norman family who settled in London after the Norman Conquest. He was educated at Merton Abbey and Paris, then sent to Bologna and Auxerre to study law. Thomas was ordained deacon, and in 1154 was made archdeacon of Canterbury, a post that gave him scope to use his administrative skills to the full.

In 1154, Henry II became King of England and the 2 men had frequent contact. In 1155 Henry appointed Thomas as chancellor of England. Thomas served his king loyally and competently in the administration of state affairs, in embassies, and even on military expeditions. He was all Henry could have wished for in his chancellor. He even supported the king’s interests against those of the church on occasion.

The Middle Ages had seen a power struggle between church and state in Europe. This came to involve the papacy in the wake of the reforms of the 11th Century. King Henry wanted to control both church and state and appointed Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury. Thomas had warned him, if appointed he would have to give his full loyalty to the Church, but in 1162 he was appointed as Archbishop.

Thomas resigned the chancellorship and adopted a more austere life-style. To Henry’s annoyance, Thomas then opposed the king’s attempts to control the church, taxation affecting the church, and supported the idea of appeals to Rome on matters affecting the church in England. This sparked a long and bitter struggle. When Henry attempted to try Thomas over financial dealings during his chancellorship, Thomas went into exile and spent 6 years in France.

The rift between them was patched up in 1169, and Thomas returned home to a hero’s welcome. In the interval the king had ignored the claims of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York had officiated at the coronation of Prince Henry. Thomas then excommunicated the bishops concerned. Henry in a rage called for Thomas’s removal, 4 leading knights then rode to Canterbury and murdered him in Canterbury Cathedral.

A popular cult of St Thomas grew, He was canonised in 1173, and his shortcomings were almost completely forgotten. His tomb in Canterbury Cathedral became a place of pilgrimage until his shrine was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538.

BORN: 21 December 1118, Cheapside, City of London, England.

DIED: 29 December 1170, Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England.