Why was Thomas murdered? Why did Thomas and Henry fall out?

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One of the most famous, shocking, and violent murders in history was the assassination of Thomas Becket.

What happened between King Henry II and Becket that led to the demise of the archbishop?

While working as a clerk for Theobald, Becket was noticed by King Henry II.

King Henry wanted to bring law and order to the Church in England.

After the death of Theobald, Henry made him the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Archbishop went into hiding after the former friends had a huge argument over Becket's desire to keep the Church separate.

After his murder, Becket was made a saint, and pilgrims came to his shrine even after it was destroyed by Henry VIII.

It has been said that Henry II and Becket were first firm friends because they played chess and hunted together.

The King and Chancellor worked hard to establish order in Henry's kingdom.

The Church's clergy were able to get away with murder and rape.

The Churches own court could be used to try priests who broke the law.

The laws they created over the Church were supposed to be extended by King Henry.

Historians say that Thomas Becket's transformation from fun-loving to serious and devoted came as a shock to Henry.

Becket drank only water, replaced his lavish lifestyle with sparse eating, and wore sack-cloth.

When Henry summoned Becket in October 1164, the King's supporters accused him of treason and asked him to hand over all his property.

Apparently there was a heated argument and then Becket fled to France.

After his return to England in 1170, Becket excommunicated a number of the bishops.

Henry was angry when he heard about it and asked who would rid him of the priest.

He was said to have said, "What miserable drones and traitors have I nurtured and promoted in my household who let their Lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-bornclerk?"

According to accounts, the attack on Thomas was so vicious that they butchered him, cracked open his skull and spilled his brain on the floor.

King Henry didn't eat for three days because he felt guilty about his words.

Thomas Becket was made a saint very quickly, and believers visited his shrines for healing miracles.