Thomas Becket: Difference between revisions

[[File:Meister Francke 007.jpg|thumb|alt=Thomas Becket on horseback|Thomas Becket]]

(1118–1170) Lord Chancellor of England in the twelfth century under Henry II, archbishop of Canterbury, an incarnation of the ascended master [[El Morya]]. He was deeply devoted to the will of God and endured years of conflict with King Henry II over the rights of Church versus State. Becket was brutally murdered in his own cathedral by four knights who acted in response to Henry's desire to be rid “of this turbulent priest.” For centuries after his death, pilgrims flocked to his tomb at Canterbury and Saint Thomas worked many miracles there.

The historic quarrel had dragged on for three years when at last King Louis was able to effect a partial reconciliation between Thomas and Henry. Henry invited Becket to return to England, where he was welcomed by enthusiastic crowds. As he entered Canterbury Cathedral it was said of him by a contemporary biographer, “Some saw and marveled at the face of this man, for it seemed as though his flaming heart burned in his very countenance.”

[[File:De Grey Hours f.28.v St. Thomas of Canterbury.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|alt=caption|The martyrdom of Thomas Becket, from a medieval Book of Hours (c.1390)]]