Thomas Becket ( ), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English cleric and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He is known for his conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. He was canonised by Pope Alexander III two years after his death. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
Thomas Becket ( ), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English cleric and statesman who served...
Key People
Events Before
Battle of al-Babein: King Amalric I of Jerusalem fights a Zengid army to a draw over access to Egypt
The Battle of al-Babein took place on March 18, 1167, during the third Crusader invasion of Egypt.
Battle of Monte Porzio: Holy Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Da
Battle of Monte Porzio: Holy Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel
Northern Italian towns form the Lombard League
The Lombard League (Latin: Societas Lombardiae; Italian: Lega Lombarda) was an alliance of cities formed in 1167, and supported by the popes, to counter the attempts by the Hohenstaufen Holy Roman...
Sicilian chancellor Stephen du Perche moves the royal court to Messina to prevent a rebellion.
Sicilian chancellor Stephen du Perche moves the royal court to Messina to prevent a rebellion.
Giovanni di Struma is elected antipope
An antipope (Latin: antipapa) is a person who claims to be Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church in opposition to the officially elected pope.
Events After
Jocelin, abbot of Melrose, is elected bishop of Glasgow
Jocelin (or Jocelyn) (died 1199) was a Scottish Cistercian monk and cleric who became the fourth Abbot of Melrose before becoming Bishop of Glasgow, Scotland.
At the Battle of Myriokephalon, the Byzantines fail to recover Anatolia from Turkish rule
The Battle of Myriokephalon (also known as the Battle of Myriocephalum, Greek: Μάχη του Μυριοκέφαλου, Turkish: Miryokefalon Savaşı or Düzbel Muharebesi) was a battle between the Byzantine Empire and...
Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem defeats Saladin and a larger Ayyubid force
Baldwin IV (1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin ascended to the throne when he was thirteen despite having leprosy.
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa is crowned King of Burgundy
Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (German: Friedrich; Italian: Federico), was the Holy Roman emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190.
BC A solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom after the Trojan War
BC A solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom after the Trojan War
More from the 1170s
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa is crowned King of Burgundy
Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (German: Friedrich; Italian: Federico), was the Holy Roman emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190.
Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem defeats Saladin and a larger Ayyubid force
Baldwin IV (1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin ascended to the throne when he was thirteen despite having leprosy.
3rd Lateran Council (11th ecumenical council) opens in Rome
3rd Lateran Council (11th ecumenical council) opens in Rome
Jocelin, abbot of Melrose, is elected bishop of Glasgow
Jocelin (or Jocelyn) (died 1199) was a Scottish Cistercian monk and cleric who became the fourth Abbot of Melrose before becoming Bishop of Glasgow, Scotland.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 21, 1173?
- Thomas Becket ( ), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English cleric and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He is known for his conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. He was canonised by Pope Alexander III two years after his death.
- Why is Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury historically important?
- He was canonised by Pope Alexander III two years after his death. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
- Who was involved in Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury?
- Key figures include Thomas Becket.