In 12th century England, a great power struggle occurred between the king and a rebellious archbishop. When this conflict was resolved, a superior power was established which dominated the other and controlled the country. At the time, the Catholic Church and the English monarchy held most of the authority over the people. Each of the institutions wanted power over the other. As the struggle for power between secular authorities and the Church continued, both sides worked to maintain their jurisdiction, and prevented the other from gaining control. In 1162, in an attempt to gain influence above the Church, King Henry II chose Thomas Becket to become the archbishop of Canterbury, a position widely regarded as the leading bishop in England (Commire).
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At the time, Becket was the the archbishop of Canterbury, a position that held the power to coronate kings. Despite this, Henry had the archbishop of York crown his son as junior king (Warren 500). By ignoring Becket’s authority, Henry threatened the power of the archbishop of Canterbury, supporting his goal of reducing the Church’s power over the monarchy. As the archbishop of Canterbury, Becket was supposed to allow coronations, instead of the lower ranked archbishop of York. Becket did not react well to the King’s attack on his power. As the British historian W. L. Warren recounts, “Becket protested vigorously, and was given strong support by the pope, who repeated his prohibition with stern threats of the suspension or even deposition of any bishop who ignored it” (502). Becket, supported by the pope, felt threatened by his loss of power. The attack on Becket’s power was part of the greater struggle for power between the King and the archbishop. Acting upon his threats of suspension, “Becket excommunicated the Archbishop of York and two bishops for crowning Henry’s son without his permission” (Seward 23-24). By excommunicating the bishops, Becket expressed the power of the Church. Intending for Henry to abide by his authority, Becket demonstrated the penalty for ignoring the power of the church. Becket worked to prevent the King from dominating over the Church, acting against Henry’s goal of extending his power, ultimately interfering the development of the secular
At the time, Becket was the the archbishop of Canterbury, a position that held the power to coronate kings. Despite this, Henry had the archbishop of York crown his son as junior king (Warren 500). By ignoring Becket’s authority, Henry threatened the power of the archbishop of Canterbury, supporting his goal of reducing the Church’s power over the monarchy. As the archbishop of Canterbury, Becket was supposed to allow coronations, instead of the lower ranked archbishop of York. Becket did not react well to the King’s attack on his power. As the British historian W. L. Warren recounts, “Becket protested vigorously, and was given strong support by the pope, who repeated his prohibition with stern threats of the suspension or even deposition of any bishop who ignored it” (502). Becket, supported by the pope, felt threatened by his loss of power. The attack on Becket’s power was part of the greater struggle for power between the King and the archbishop. Acting upon his threats of suspension, “Becket excommunicated the Archbishop of York and two bishops for crowning Henry’s son without his permission” (Seward 23-24). By excommunicating the bishops, Becket expressed the power of the Church. Intending for Henry to abide by his authority, Becket demonstrated the penalty for ignoring the power of the church. Becket worked to prevent the King from dominating over the Church, acting against Henry’s goal of extending his power, ultimately interfering the development of the secular