Thomas Becket was one of the most powerful and controversial ecclesiastical figures of the twelfth century. His career illustrates the tensions between royal authority and the autonomy of the Church in Angevin England, while his death transformed him from royal servant and archbishop into an international martyr and focus of pilgrimage.

Becket’s importance lies not only in his historical actions, but in the extraordinary speed and scale with which his cult developed after 1170, shaping religious devotion, political symbolism, and artistic production across Europe.

Career and conflict

Born into a London merchant family, Becket rose through royal service to become, in 1155, chancellor to Henry II of England, ⓘ acting as a close adviser and administrator. His appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 marked a decisive change in his public role and self-presentation.

Disputes between Becket and the king intensified over the question of clerical jurisdiction, particularly following the Assizes of Clarendon (1166), which sought to limit ecclesiastical privileges. Becket’s resistance to these measures led to periods of exile and open hostility between archbishop and crown.

Martyrdom and reconciliation

On 29 December 1170, Becket was killed in Canterbury Cathedral by knights associated with the royal court. His death was rapidly interpreted as martyrdom, provoking widespread outrage and devotional fervour.

In 1174, Henry II performed public penance at Becket’s tomb, a moment that confirmed the political and spiritual significance of the cult and marked a symbolic reconciliation between monarchy and Church.

Cult and representation

Becket’s cult spread with remarkable speed. He became a central figure in medieval visual culture, particularly in:

• stained glass cycles

• sculptural reliefs

• wall paintings

• manuscript illumination

Scenes of his martyrdom, miracles, and posthumous veneration appear in churches and cathedrals across England and continental Europe, often serving as statements about ecclesiastical authority, sanctity, and resistance to secular power.