Thomas Becket Murdered in Canterbury Cathedral
Four knights murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket on the altar of Canterbury Cathedral, acting on what they interpreted as King Henry II's frustrated outburst against his former ally. Becket's martyrdom transformed Canterbury into medieval Europe's premier pilgrimage destination and forced Henry into a humiliating public penance that subordinated royal authority to the Church for generations.
December 29, 1170
856 years ago
What Else Happened on December 29
Followers of King Henry II slashed Archbishop Thomas Becket to death within Canterbury Cathedral, instantly transforming him from a political rival into a rever…
The Ming Dynasty began its final retreat from Hanoi, ending two decades of Chinese occupation in Đại Việt. This withdrawal restored Vietnamese independence unde…
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba's Spanish forces crushed the French army at the Garigliano River, ending France's control over southern Italy. This decisive defeat…
Portuguese forces under Francisco de Almeida razed the wealthy trading port of Dabul, slaughtering its inhabitants and burning the city to the ground. This brut…
Pocahontas throws herself between the clubs of Powhatan's warriors and a bound John Smith, halting an execution that would have ended English colonization in Vi…
Three thousand British troops hit Savannah's south side at dawn. The city's 700 defenders—mostly militia who'd never seen combat—broke and ran within an hour. L…
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.