Saint Thomas Becket Biography

Saint Thomas Becket was born on 21 December c. 1119 in Cheapside, London. He was the son of Gilbert and Matilda Becket. Thomas also had a sister; her name was Mary. Thomas became a student at Augustinian Merton Priory at age 10 and later attended school in London. After finishing school as a child, he moved away from home and attended the University of Paris. While away at college, Thomas’s mother passed away and his father went through financial issues.

As Thomas entered adult life, he became a city clerk and accountant for Sir Richer de l’Aigle and Osbert Huitdeniers. Thomas’s father later introduced him to Archbishop Theobald. Theobald was very impressed by Thomas’s intelligence and sent him to study canon law in Paris for a year.

When Thomas returned, he became the provost of Beverley and canon at Lincoln and St. Paul’s Cathedrals. As a reward of his services, Theobald appointed Thomas as archdeacon of Canterbury. Later, Thomas was awarded chancellorship when he got Henry of Anjou crowned as the King Henry II in 1154. Thomas Becket was later ordained as priest and as Archbishop. Thomas adopted the papacy and canon law, he also resigned from his chancellorship. After becoming a man of the church, King Henry II was offended and ordered Thomas to resign as archdeacon. In 1164, King Henry II summoned him to trial at Northampton Castle. Thomas was accused of misusing his funds and was later found guilty by the bishops. After being found guilty, Becket fled Northampton in disguise. He later informed the Pope of his decision to resign even though the Pope did not accept it. The Pope appointed him as Cistercian Abbot at Pontigny. Later, Becket returned to England and was assassinated on December 29, 1170 by four of King Henry’s knights.