Murder of Thomas Becket
December 29, 1170
Four of Henry II's knights, spurred by their king's angry musings at his Christmas court, rode for Canterbury, cornered the archbishop in his own cathedral at vespers, and hacked open his skull on the stone flags. The wayward monks gathered his blood in bowls. Within three years he was canonized.
In context
Also in 1170 (4 other events on record)
- Syria earthquake · Middle East · Disaster
- Anglo-Normans take Dublin · Europe · War
- Lubeck refounded · Europe · Politics
- Coronation of the Young King · Europe · Politics
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Religion
Era
High Middle Ages (1000–1300), one of 1,306 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources