Becket Slain by King's Men: Church and State Clash
Followers of King Henry II slashed Archbishop Thomas Becket to death within Canterbury Cathedral, instantly transforming him from a political rival into a revered saint and martyr for both the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. This brutal act shattered the king's authority over the church, compelling Henry II to perform public penance and permanently altering the balance of power between English monarchy and ecclesiastical leadership.
December 29, 1170
856 years ago
What Else Happened on December 29
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