Thomas Becket

Edward Grim visited Canterbury Cathedral in England on December 29, 1170. During evening vespers, four knights interrupted the service, looking for Thomas Becket (1120-1170) (later to be called “a Becket”). “Where is this Thomas Becket, traitor to the king and the kingdom?” They asked. “Here I am,” Thomas said, “not a traitor of the king but a priest; why do you seek me?” The knights ordered Thomas to reinstate several bishops Thomas had defrocked. When he refused to do so unless the offending bishops showed contrition, one knight shouted, “Then you shall die and receive what you deserve.” Thomas didn’t back down, “I am ready to die for my Lord that in my blood the church may obtain liberty and peace. But in the name of Almighty God, I forbid you to hurt my people.” The knights attempted to drag Thomas from the cathedral, but he hung firmly to a post, so they murdered him there. Edward Grim, whose eyewitness account recounted the horror, was wounded in the attack, in coming to Thomas’ defense. The knights thought they were doing their patriotic duty. They had been in King Henry II’s company when he launched into a tirade against Archbishop Thomas. While there is debate among historians as to whether Henry said, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” there is little doubt the knights took whatever was said as a call to action. Thomas and Henry were the best of friends in earlier years, hunting and playing chess together. When Henry became king, he chose Thomas as his chancellor. When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, Henry appointed Thomas to the post to bring the church under his control. The plan backfired when Thomas began to take his religious duties seriously. He gave up his extravagant lifestyle and adopted an ascetic posture. He was no longer interested in defending royal interests; he now wanted to champion Jesus’ teachings. When Thomas resigned his chancellor position, his relationship with the king became strained, leading to his exile in France and eventual death. Thomas’ last words, as recorded by Edward Grim, were prayed on his knees before his executioners. We would do well to emulate his humility and faith: