Gone Medieval The Betrayal of Thomas Becket
Apr 7, 2026
Michael Staunton, Associate Professor of History at University College Dublin and expert on Thomas Becket, unpacks Becket’s rise from Cheapside merchant roots to royal chancellor. He discusses why Henry II picked him, Becket’s surprising roles as diplomat and warrior, and why so many letters, biographies, and miracle tales survive about him.
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Murder Turned Becket Into Europe’s Most Powerful Martyr
- Thomas Becket's murder transformed him from a political figure into a potent martyr whose shrine drove massive pilgrimage and politics across Europe.
- Within months of his 1170 death, Pope Alexander canonized him and miracles around Canterbury made it a major economic and religious centre.
Royal Penance Reordered Church-State Relations
- Henry II's public penance at Canterbury in 1174 — being publicly flogged before bishops and monks — was a political gesture to placate the Church and restore royal authority.
- The spectacle reinforced Becket's sanctity and limited future royal power over ecclesiastical matters.
Surprisingly Rich Sources Give A Complex Becket
- We possess an unusually large and varied corpus on Thomas including 800 letters, contemporary biographies, and vast miracle collections that create competing portraits of him.
- These sources let historians compare critics' claims with hagiography, producing nuance rather than a single definitive image.