Children of Light and Truth (1): Thomas Becket_The Martyr of Canterbury
Sylvanus Maria Mgbechukwu, Researcher, Poet, Author, Activist, Administrator and Writer, is the founder of Direction Arena and BestAdviceForAll.Com, a forum and platform dedicated and committed to Truth and Rectitude, where people could find Illumination, Direction, Sound Advice, Guidance, Inspiration, Tips, Assistance, Support Or Help, to guide them in this “modern” world that have become a dark jungle and forest of dangerous ideologies, philosophies, ideas, learning, lies, propaganda and miseducation that ruin people due to lack of direction, guidance or enlightenment.
Thomas Becket, also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, is a prominent figure in English history, celebrated for his dramatic and tragic life story. Born in 1119 in London, Becket rose to become the Archbishop of Canterbury, ultimately sacrificing his life in a conflict that epitomized the struggle between church and state in medieval England. His martyrdom transformed him into a symbol of religious integrity and resistance against secular interference in ecclesiastical matters.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Thomas Becket was born into a relatively prosperous Norman family. He received a robust education, studying in London, Paris, and Bologna, which equipped him with the knowledge and skills that would later define his career. Becket entered the service of Theobald of Bec, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who recognized his potential and sent him on several missions to Rome.
Becket's administrative acumen and diplomatic skills soon brought him to the attention of King Henry II. In 1155, Henry appointed Becket as his Chancellor, a role in which he excelled. As Chancellor, Becket was a loyal servant of the king, overseeing the royal household and revenues, and even leading military expeditions. The two men developed a close friendship, and Henry saw in Becket an ally who could help him consolidate his control over the church.
Archbishop of Canterbury
In 1162, upon the death of Theobald, Henry II nominated Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, expecting him to support the crown's interests. However, Becket's elevation to the archbishopric marked a dramatic transformation. He resigned as Chancellor and adopted an austere and devout lifestyle, becoming a staunch defender of ecclesiastical independence.
Becket soon found himself in conflict with Henry over the rights and privileges of the church. The most significant point of contention was the issue of "criminous clerks"—clergy who committed secular crimes. Henry sought to try them in royal courts, while Becket insisted on the church's jurisdiction. This dispute was emblematic of the broader struggle over whether the church would remain independent of royal authority.
The Constitutions of Clarendon
The tension between Becket and Henry II came to a head with the Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164. This set of legislative procedures aimed to curb ecclesiastical privileges and assert the king's authority over the church. Becket initially agreed to the Constitutions but later reneged, leading to a serious rift with the king.
Becket's refusal to accept the Constitutions fully led to his trial and subsequent flight to France, where he remained in exile for six years. During this time, he continued to resist Henry's attempts to diminish church authority, garnering support from the Pope and other European ecclesiastical figures.
Martyrdom and Legacy
In 1170, a fragile reconciliation was achieved, and Becket returned to England. However, the peace was short-lived. In a moment of frustration, Henry is said to have uttered the infamous words, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Interpreting this as a royal command, four knights traveled to Canterbury and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170.
Becket's brutal death shocked Christendom. He was quickly canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1173, and his shrine in Canterbury became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. The martyrdom of Thomas Becket symbolized the ultimate conflict between ecclesiastical autonomy and royal power.
Thomas Becket's life and death left an indelible mark on English history. His steadfast commitment to the principles of the church, even at the cost of his life, exemplifies the enduring struggle for religious freedom and integrity. Becket's story is a reminder of the complex interplay between faith and politics, and his legacy continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection on the relationship between spiritual and temporal power. His martyrdom serves as a testament to the profound impact one individual's unwavering convictions can have on history.
My Understanding And Position
Life on earth is a battle between good and evil. A mortal combat where the forces of evil seeks to seize humans prisoners _by their ideologies, policies, philosophies, plots and schemes, _and drag them into their repulsive, loathsome dungeon where they were accursed, because of their evil propensity and preferences, to be fed on by the torments of darkness, unquenchable fire and worms that die not. (cf: Mark 9:48 )
God is good. And God is just. He will certainly deal with the devil and his followers as He fore-warned in the Holy Scriptures. This is part of Jesus' teaching about the consequences of sin and the reality of hell.
In view of the dangers and perils posed to earthlings by the forces and agents of evil, we must learn to sacrifice everything, even our lives _if it comes to that, to save as much people as possible from their enchanted snares and trappings.
We must be bold, brave and daring to warn people that our sworn enemies _ the forces and agents of evil, package and present their enchanted snares and traps as the various philosophies, ideologies,“findings”, polices, religions, beliefs, ideas, plots and schemes, whose ends, whether motivated by power, ideology, or personal gain, are to bring about suffering, deaths, destruction, controversy and eventual perdition.
It is heartwarming and commendable that many wise and discerning men and women have fought a good fight for humanity, salvaging as many people as they could from the deceptions, manipulations, chains and shackles of the forces and agents of evil.
However, it is quite distressing and regrettable that many others, who didn't really understand life, and having consequently reduced it to a mere acquisition of wealth, power and position, used them to lure and ensnare people to their eventual perdition through the ideas, ideologies, policies, plots and schemes they espouse and pursue.
Their legacies serve as reminders of the impact that power, ideology, and personal ambition can have on the world, highlighting the importance of vigilance and accountability in leadership.
