Saint Thomas à Becket
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| Saint Thomas à Becket | |
| Feast Day | December 29 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Canterbury, England; secular clergy; military chaplains; pilgrims |
| Birthplace | Cheapside, London, England |
| Death Place | Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England |
Saint Thomas Becket, also known as Saint Thomas à Becket (1119/1120–1170), was the archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his martyrdom, renowned for defending ecclesiastical independence against King Henry II of England, culminating in his murder in Canterbury Cathedral.[1] Born in Cheapside, London, to Norman merchant Gilbert Becket and Matilda of Caen, historical records from contemporary chroniclers like John of Salisbury confirm his education at Merton Priory and Paris, followed by clerical service under Theobald of Canterbury, rising to archdeacon by 1154.[2] Appointed chancellor in 1155 by Henry II, a close friendship turned to conflict after his 1162 consecration as archbishop, when Becket resigned secular office and excommunicated royal officials for violating church rights, leading to exile in France 1164–1170.[3]
Returning in 1170 after compromise, Becket excommunicated key barons, provoking four knights to murder him on December 29 in the cathedral transept, an act Henry later repented; immediate veneration arose with healings at his bloodied altar, canonized February 21, 1173, by Alexander III, with relics translated 1220.[1] Hagiographic traditions, like visions of his soul ascending or the poisoned chalice miracle, derive from 12th-century vitae like Herbert of Bosham's rather than eyewitnesses; patronage of Canterbury and secular clergy reflects his archiepiscopal stand.[4] As patron of military chaplains and pilgrims, his December 29 feast commemorates ecclesiastical liberty; Canterbury's shrine, destroyed in Reformation, inspires global devotion.[5]
Becket's legacy, verified through letters and the Constitutions of Clarendon (1164), symbolizes church-state tensions; probabilistic royal blood unconfirmed, yet his transformation from courtier to martyr archetypal.[2]
Biography
Birth
Thomas Becket was born between December 21, 1119, and March 21, 1120, in Cheapside, London, to Gilbert Beket, a Norman merchant, and Matilda of Caen, as per contemporary biographies like William FitzStephen's; baptized Thomas in St. Mary-le-Bow shortly after.[1] Raised in a prosperous household, his infancy involved Norman-English cultural blend; historical context: Anarchy under Stephen.[2] As the only child, early life privileged.
Exact date uncertain, traditional Christmas 1119.
Early Life
Becket's early life featured classical education; schooled at Merton Priory c. 1130, then Paris c. 1141 for canon law, returning to clerk for Theobald c. 1145, per FitzStephen.[3] Archdeacon of Canterbury 1154, he negotiated for Henry II in France; evidence from charters confirms diplomatic skill.[5] No monastic leanings initially.
Hagiographic piety retrospective.
Occupation
Becket's pre-episcopal occupation was chancellor of England 1155–1162, managing royal household and diplomacy, documented in Pipe Rolls; earlier, archdeacon duties.[1] No trade, focused on administration.
Chancellorship defined secular peak.
Vocation
Consecrated archbishop June 3, 1162, Becket's vocation shifted to reform: Resigned chancellorship, adopted austere life, clashing with Henry over criminous clerks at Clarendon 1164, leading to exile.[2] Excommunicated officials 1166–1170 from Sens; vocation: Defender of liberties, per papal bulls.[4] Returned November 30, 1170, martyred four weeks later.
Legacy: Church autonomy.
Death
On December 29, 1170, four knights—Reginald FitzUrse et al.—murdered Becket in Canterbury transept during Vespers, striking his head with swords, per eyewitness Edward Grim.[3] Blood stained altar; body buried in crypt, immediate healings reported. Saint Thomas Becket met his end through martyrdom in Canterbury Cathedral, slain by knights for ecclesiastical defense.
Significant events
- Educated in Paris (c. 1141–1145).
- Archdeacon of Canterbury (1154).
- Appointed chancellor by Henry II (January 22, 1155).
- Consecrated archbishop (June 3, 1162).
- Constitutions of Clarendon dispute (January 30, 1164).
- Exiled to France (November 2, 1164).
- Excommunicates barons (1170).
- Returns to England (November 30, 1170).
- Martyred in cathedral (December 29, 1170).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Cheapside, London, England
Death location: Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England
Notable location: Archiepiscopal see and martyrdom site (Canterbury Cathedral, 12 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, England)
Notable location: Exile refuge during conflict with Henry II (Pontigny Abbey, 89230 Pontigny, France)
Notable location: Early episcopal role as archbishop (York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH, England)
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in England, a UNESCO site and Anglican shrine under the Archdiocese of Canterbury since 1173, preserves the martyrdom transept and hosts December 29 pilgrimages compliant with Canon 1230 principles for Catholic veneration.[1] Pilgrimage details: 12 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, England; martyrdom 1170; notable for Thomas Becket chapel; Archdiocese of Canterbury. Fact: Site of murder, blood altar draw pilgrims.
Sens Cathedral
Sens Cathedral in France, designated a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Sens-Auxerre for exile, qualifies under Canon 1230 with excommunication memorials and novenas.[2] Pilgrimage details: Place de la République, 94100 Sens, France; resided 1164–1170; annual December vigils; Diocese of Sens-Auxerre. Fact: Exile base, papal refuge.
Pontigny Abbey
Pontigny's Cistercian abbey, shrine by Diocese of Auxerre since 1166 for Becket's stay, meets Canon 1230 through retreats and relic traditions.[3] Pilgrimage details: 89230 Pontigny, France; hosted 1166–1171; feast liturgies; Diocese of Auxerre. Fact: Exile house, site of letters.
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey in England, local shrine by Diocese of Chelmsford for chancellorship ties under Canon 1230.[5] Pilgrimage details: 9 Old Abbey Church Rd, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DE, England; medieval; December seminars; Diocese of Chelmsford. Fact: Near London, linking to early life.
Thomas Becket Shrine, London
London's Southwark Cathedral, shrine by Diocese of Southwark for relics under Canon 1230 with pilgrim Masses.[4] Pilgrimage details: Montague Close, London SE1 9DA, England; modern; annual commemorations; Diocese of Southwark. Fact: Anglican-Catholic shared veneration.
Canonization
Servant of God
Thomas Becket's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate post-martyrdom cultus in 1170, with Canterbury monks gathering blood relics and testimonies of graces, predating formal processes.[1] Centered at cathedral, acclaim affirmed heroic witness.
Early English recognition focused on liberties.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from 1171 through episcopal approvals, with heroic virtue promoted by Canterbury priors based on eyewitnesses, without papal pre-Lateran.[2] Cultus spread via translations.
No decree; organic to Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation; by 1171, synodal inclusion permitted veneration as Blessed, based on attested martyrdom without miracle.[3] Alexander III's 1172 letters supported.
Honor emphasized blood.
Canonization
Canonized February 21, 1173, by Pope Alexander III at Anagni, following verification of posthumous miracles like healings, proclaiming universal sainthood; relics translated 1220.[1] No second miracle needed for martyrs.
Feast December 29.
Miracles
For medieval martyrs like Becket, canonization relied on attested prodigies; over 700 recorded at tomb by 1220, verified through papal commissions.[5] Devotional accounts emphasize blood relics.
Miracle for beatification
No distinct for beatification; 1171 cultus based on immediate healings like blindness cures at altar, sufficient for acclaim per medieval praxis.[1] Eyewitness Grim reported.
Focus on transept graces.
Miracle for canonization
The 1173 canonization authenticated multiple miracles, including a 1171 healing of a blind man in Canterbury via blood relic touch, verified by Alexander III's legates through witnesses.[2] Instantaneous sight restoration defied medicine.
This, among 100+, confirmed martyrdom.
Other notable miracles
- Blood curing leprosy and possession (1170s).
- Raising of the dead boy in Northampton (1172).
- Storm calms at sea via invocation, traditional.
Patronage
Saint Thomas Becket is the patron saint of Canterbury, England, secular clergy, military chaplains, and pilgrims.[4] These reflect his see, priesthood, and exile.
Feast day
December 29
Veneration
Saint Thomas Becket is venerated on December 29 through martyr feasts, novenas for justice, and pilgrimages to Canterbury transept.[1] Blood relic traditions focal.
Depicted slain at altar, as in Canterbury windows. Literature like FitzStephen's Vita inspires. Shrines foster church-state dialogue.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- Letters (collected in Materials for the History of Thomas Becket).
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "St. Thomas Becket". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14651c.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Thomas Becket". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Beckett.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Saint Thomas Becket". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas-Becket.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "St. Thomas Becket". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=237.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Thomas Becket". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-thomas-becket.