http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_%C3%A0_Becket
Thomas Becket was
born in Cheapside, about 1118, of parents who
were property owners. One of his
father’s wealthy friends taught him to ride a horse and other gentlemanly
pursuits. He began his education at
Merton Priory and overseas in France. He attracted the attention of Theobald,
Archbishop of Canterbury, who made him Archdeacon of Canterbury as well as
Provost of Beverley after demonstrating his abilities in several important
missions. Upon Theobald’s
recommendation, he was appointed Chancellor, and as such was truly the King’s
man, upholding Henry II in all things.
In 1162, Theobald
died, and Henry II, thinking to consolidate his power over the church and to
remove ecclesiastical courts from the land appointed Becket as Archbishop of
Canterbury. At this time, Thomas became an ascetic, and renounced the
chancellorship, and a battle began between him and the king. The King tried to force Becket to sign the
Constitutions of Clarendon reducing the church’s authority, but Becket refused,
and facing trumped up charges on his behaviour as chancellor, fled to France. After several years of exile and negotiations
with the Bishop of Rome and threat of excommunication and
interdict, Becket was allowed to return.
After a severe breaching of the prerogatives of the Archbishop of
Canterbury (coronation of King Henry III) which resulted in the excommunication
of the Archbishop of York, Bishop of London, and Bishop of Salisbury. The king is said to have said, “What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up
in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a
low-born cleric?” (This is probably what he said, there are other versions, but
this is the most likely) Four knights
upon hearing this went off to Canterbury on
December 29th of 1170 and after Becket refused to accompany them to Winchester, returned with
their weapons and killed Becket during vespers at Canterbury Cathedral. As Becket was dying, he said, “For the name
of Jesus and the
protection of the Church, I am ready to embrace death.” In shorter terms, Becket died for the
prerogatives of the church.
Thomas Becket’s death also affected
culture in other ways. A popular
pilgrimage to Canterbury
lasted for more than 350 years, and in fact the Canterbury Tales were arranged
around one such pilgrimage. We note in
passing that King Henry VIII had Becket’s shrine and bones destroyed.
Emmanuel, you raised
up Thomas Becket to protect the church against the authorities of this
world. Help us to remember that the
church must be in subjection to you and your word, and not to the authorities
or whims of this world: this we ask in
the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who took our nature upon himself to redeem
it. Amen. (white)
Readings:
Psalm 1252 Esdras 2:42-48
1 John 2:3-6, 15-17
Mark 11:24-33
Note: If there is no celebration of the Eucharist, the readings of the day may be used for Matins.
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