Henry II and Becket

1
Henry II and Becket
C/W

• Starter
• What can we tell from this source?
• THINK
• Who, what, when, where and why?

2
The story of Henry II and Thomas Becket

• Introduction Task In your groups you have the
  story cut up into different chunks.
• You have 3 minutes to read through them and put
  them in the correct order

3

• E. Henry II was a very powerful king. However,
  there was one group Henry could not control and
  that was the Church.

4
A. Henry had a close friend called Thomas Becket
who had been Henrys closest advisor. The job of
an advisor is very important and the king needed
to trust him as he was in charge of writing the
kings letters and sending out his orders.
5
Becket becomes Archbishop

• B. Henry and Becket worked well together and when
  the top job in the Church came up, Henry said
  Thomas should have it. In 1662 Henry made Becket
  Archbishop of Canterbury which placed him in
  charge of religion in England. This was a very
  powerful position.

6
Why did Henry make Becket Archbishop?

• F. Henry wanted to make some changes to the
  church. For example he wanted his own courts to
  decide over crimes committed by priests. At the
  time the church had its own courts and Henry
  wanted to get rid of them.
• He hoped his friend Becket could help him!

7
Henry is Mistaken!

• G. Henry was wrong! Becket did not want to help.
  When he became Archbishop he became very
  religious and refused to help Henry make the
  church weaker. After a big argument about it
  Becket ran away to France and did not come back
  for six years!

8
Becket Returns

• C. After six years, in 1170 Henry and Becket
  agree to try to work together again. However,
  Becket started annoying the king again.
• As soon as Becket was back he fired three Bishops
  that had run the church while he was away. They
  were friends of Henry and had done a good job for
  him.

9
The Murder!

• D. When Henry heard about this he flew into one
  of his rages and said is there no one who will
  rid me of this turbulent priest? Four knights
  overheard this and decided they would please the
  king by finding Becket and killing him.

10
Task 2 Now write these 5 events into your books
in the correct order!

• Becket ran away to France for six years
• Henry and Becket became best friends
• Becket refused to help Henry
• Henry made Becket Archbishop of Canterbury
• Henry was heard to say is there no one who will
  rid me of this turbulent priest?

Stretch Pick one of the above events and
describe it in more detail, use the card sort to
help
11
Main Task

• Read through the timeline on the sheet and answer
  the questions.
• Stretch Re-write the story of the murder of
  Thomas Becket from Beckets point of view. Try to
  use the evidence to make him look innocent and
  hard done by.
• Finish for Homework!!!

12
(No Transcript)
13
(No Transcript)
14
Plenary Was Henry II responsible for Thomas
Beckets murder?
Discuss this in your pairs Be ready to feedback
Lets vote
15
A. Henry had a close friend called Thomas Becket
who had been Henrys closest advisor. The job of
an advisor is very important and the king needed
to trust him as he was in charge of writing the
kings letters and sending out his orders.
E. Henry II was a very powerful king. However,
there was one group Henry could not control and
that was the Church.
B. Henry and Becket worked well together and when
the top job in the Church came up, Henry said
Thomas should have it. In 1662 Henry made Becket
Archbishop of Canterbury which placed him in
charge of religion in England. This was a very
powerful position.
F. Henry wanted to make some changes to the
church. For example he wanted his own courts to
decide over crimes committed by priests. At the
time the church had its own courts and Henry
wanted to get rid of them. He hoped his friend
Becket could help him!
G. Henry was wrong! Becket did not want to help.
When he became Archbishop he became very
religious and refused to help Henry make the
church weaker. After a big argument about it
Becket ran away to France and did not come back
for six years!
C. After six years, in 1170 Henry and Becket
agree to try to work together again. However,
Becket started annoying the king again. As soon
as Becket was back he fired three Bishops that
had run the church while he was away. They were
friends of Henry and had done a good job for him.
D. When Henry heard about this he flew into one
of his rages and said is there no one who will
rid me of this turbulent priest? Four knights
overheard this and decided they would please the
king by finding Becket and killing him.