Background:
Henry II appointed his friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. After a series of arguments between him and Henry over who controlled the Church, Becket was murdered by some of the King’s knights.
Source A (letter from Becket to Henry):
‘It is certain that kings receive their power from the Church. You have not the power to give orders to bishops, nor to drag priests before your courts.’
Source B (letter from Henry to Becket):
‘My Lord Archbishop, let us return to our old friendship, and help each other as best we can, forgetting our hatred completely.’
Source C (*12th Century manuscript picture of Becket’s murder*):
Source D (written by Gerald of Wales, a 12th century Bishop):
‘Henry was a man of reddish, freckled complexion, with a large round head and grey eyes which glowed fiercely and grew bloodshot in anger.’