Summary

Act Three opens in a room in the King's palace. Present are the King, the Queen Mother, the Young Queen and the King's two sons. The adults talk of Becket. The Queen Mother says the King misplaced his confidence when he placed it with Becket. The King defends his actions saying Becket is ten times more intelligent than all of them put together. The Queen Mother says she never liked Becket. She's wary of Becket acting so saintly so abruptly. The King says Becket is his friend; he's waiting for a meeting with Becket.

The King and his Queen argue. She says Becket lured the King away from her and to the whorehouses. An Officer enters and informs the King that a messenger from Archbishop Becket has arrived. The King is enraged – he summoned Becket (The Archbishop Primate) to come in person. The King tells...