This Week in Christian History: Archbishop Murdered, First Manger Scene, YMCA

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

Thomas Beckett Murdered in Cathedral — December 29, 1170

A Medieval illustration depicting the assassination of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
A Medieval illustration depicting the assassination of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

This week marks the anniversary of when four knights entered Canterbury Cathedral and assassinated Archbishop Thomas a Becket.

The martyrdom came after years of feuding between Archbishop Becket and England's King Henry II over competing claims between church and state. Henry II attempted to exert state control over the Church in England, which Becket opposed.

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Reportedly, the knights were encouraged to brutally murder Becket by King Henry, who was said to have declared just before the murder "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

Becket's martyrdom shocked the Medieval world. The knights responsible fell out of favor with the king and were excommunicated. Becket was canonized as a saint three years later.

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