Celebrating Becket 850
Celebrating Becket 850 Last summer should have seen celebrations for the 850th anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. The event was disrupted by the Covid lockdowns, but 2021 gives us another opportunity to celebrate Becket’s story, now titled ‘Becket 850’. This summer, you can learn more about Becket’s legacy with a special exhibition at The British Museum. Canterbury Cathedral’s ‘Miracle windows’ will be transported to London and form the centrepiece of the Becket exhibition.
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So who was Thomas Becket – and why does he still matter?
However, after being promoted to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, the pair started to disagree over a number of issues regarding the Church and its freedom from politics. Becket fled to France, where he stayed for 6 years, until he was persuaded to return by Henry. Before returning he excommunicated 3 of his Church rivals, causing them to complain bitterly about him to the King.
Thomas Becket’s big career break came in 1155, when he was given the job of Chancellor of England by King Henry II. They became close friends, hunting, gaming and travelling together. Becket enjoyed life in the royal court: he had vast wealth, throwing lavish parties, decorating his residences with beautiful furnishings and making many journeys to France on his own ships.
King Henry II is said to have exclaimed ‘Who will rid me of this low born priest?’. Thus, to gain favour from the King, four knights set off for Canterbury and murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. They sliced off the top of his skull, spilling his brains and blood on the floor. Chaos followed the murder, and his body remained where it had fallen for some hours.
