The Understanding of the Conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket in the Political Context of the Legacy of the Reign of King Stephen

Abstract

There is no doubt that one of the subjects that sparked the most interest in medieval English historiography is the one that corresponds to the troubled relationship between Thomas Becket and Henry II. Personal, political and religious ties that produced a vast literature by the hands of fervent defenders and antagonists of the two historical figures. Henry and Thomas were driven to build and deconstruct an association in the general context of confrontation between the Church and the State. The monarch's intention was none other than to restore the royal authority and peace of the reign of his grandfather, Henry I. Thomas Becket's objective was to serve that ideal as chancellor. The Becket controversy originated from the consecration of Thomas as the new archbishop of Canterbury. A sudden shift of loyalties that has caused and will presumably continue to cause much ink to flow. The aim of this article will be to tie the key features that marked this controversy to the legacy of the previous reign of King Stephen. An inheritance bearing demands that to a greater or lesser extent conditioned the actions of both characters.

Keywords

• becket controversy
• king stephen
• norman and angevin england
• church and state.