Chapter 10 Choice: Thomas Becket Defends the Liberties of the Church This activity corresponds to the “Thomas Becket Defends the Liberties of the Church” feature in your textbook. The following questions are designed to help you understand the conflict that developed in England between church and state during the reign of King Henry II. Once you have answered the questions in the Comprehension section, submit your answers and move on to the questions in the Analysis and Outside Sources sections. Each section is designed to build upon the one before it, taking you deeper into the subject you are studying. After you have answered all of the questions, you will have the option of emailing your responses to your instructor. Introduction One of the greatest kings in English history, Henry II, was destined to give his kingdom the most beautiful woman in Europe as queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and one of its most fabled warriors as a king, Richard the Lion-Hearted. Henry’s epic struggle with one of his own friends and government officials has continued to inspire artists, composers, and writers throughout history. Twentieth century authors such as T.S. Eliot and Jean Anouilh have written major works commemorating the major confrontation between church and state as embodied in these former friends. Comprehension 1. How did Thomas Becket become Archbishop of Canterbury? 2. What was the nature of the conflict between Henry II and Becket? How did the conflict come to a head, resulting in Becket’s exile in France? 3. Why did Becket refuse to relent in his opposition to the king’s policies? What was the ultimate result of Becket’s opposition? Analysis 1. The rise of Thomas Becket marked the beginning of the rise of commoners into the levels of English government. What was unusual about this and why do you think nobles would oppose it? 2. What were the conflicting values that challenged Becket in his accession as both chancellor and as archbishop? 3. Becket’s murder would eventually precipitate a rise in pilgrimages to his cathedral and his tomb at Canterbury. Yet centuries later, his tomb would be dismantled and his remains lost during the English Reformation. Why would a later king want to rid the kingdom of any reminders of Thomas Becket? Outside Sources 1. T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral is modern play written in poetic fashion. This play illustrates the moral and spiritual dilemmas facing Thomas Becket prior to his murder. Look up the play and discuss its moral and spiritual conflicts in light of the political conflict described above. 2. Jean Anouilh’s Becket, or the Honor of God is a slightly more fictionalized version of the story of Thomas Becket. Even with its fictionalized portions, it remains a powerful representation of what occurs when an individual discovers a moral or spiritual compass by which to direct their life. Read the play or see the filmed version of Becket in a powerful version with Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, and compare this version with Eliot’s version. 3. For an interesting gloss on the later Henry II, read the play or view the film version of A Lion in Winter. This story is told from the end of Henry’s life in which his political and military machinations continue to undermine his ambitions for his kingdom and for his own personal happiness. His famous wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, emerges from history as a force of nature that will not be subdued, even though Henry has imprisoned her in a castle. (A footnote: Peter O’Toole reprises his role as Henry II, though much older, and is counter-balanced by Katherine Hepburn in a historic version of the play.) .