The English prelate St. Thomas Becket (ca. 1128-1170) was murdered because of his defense of the special privileges of the clergy and his opposition to the ecclesiastical policy of King Henry II. Thomas Becket (who called himself "Thomas of London")...

The long and complex relationship between Church and State in Western Christendom-both creative and destructive-is particularly well illustrated by examining the history of England, especially the relations between various English monarchs and the Church. More specifically, by focusing on the rise, the importance, and,...

The Correspondence of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury 1162-1170, ed. and trans. Anne J. Duggan (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2000). 2 vols. clxxxii + 1490 pp. (continuously numbered). ISBN 0-19-820982-8. 150.00 [pounds sterling]. These volumes, in the Oxford Medieval Texts series, provide an...

Thomas Becket liked to conduct himself one way: to follow his conscience, even if that meant standing up to his king.His courage would cost him his life. The way he lived that life would be deemed worthy of sainthood.His king was Henry Plantagenet of England,...

Today is Saturday, Dec. 29, the 363rd day of 2007. There are two days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 29, 1890, the Wounded Knee massacre took place in South Dakota as an estimated 300 Sioux Indians were killed by U.S. troops sent...

Discusses the story of Thomas Becket and focuses on his friendship with King Henry.