Definition

Proper noun 1. A historical and religious figure: Saint Thomas a Becket (also commonly Thomas Becket) was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion for his defense of ecclesiastical rights against royal power. His conflict with King Henry II of England over the jurisdiction of the Church led to his murder by the king's knights in Canterbury Cathedral.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The shrine of Saint Thomas a Becket was a major pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages.
  • The play "Murder in the Cathedral" by T.S. Eliot dramatizes the final days of Saint Thomas a Becket.
  • Historians debate whether Henry II truly intended for Saint Thomas a Becket to be killed.

Advanced Usage

• "Becket Controversy": Refers to the prolonged conflict between Thomas Becket and King Henry II concerning the legal privileges of the clergy.

  • The Becket Controversy was a pivotal moment in the relationship between church and state in England.

• "à Becket": The "à" (or "a") is an archaic Norman French particle meaning "of" or "at," sometimes used in his full name. In modern usage, "Thomas Becket" is more common.

  • The full name, Thomas à Becket, reflects his family's Norman origins.

Variants and Related Words

• Thomas Becket (n): The more common modern form of the name.
• Becket (n): A common shortened reference to the historical figure, especially in historical texts.
• Archbishop of Canterbury (n): The title held by Thomas Becket; the spiritual leader of the Church of England.

Synonyms

• The Martyr of Canterbury: A title emphasizing his sainthood and place of death.
• Thomas of London: A reference to his birthplace.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?": A legendary exclamation attributed to King Henry II, which his knights interpreted as an order to kill Becket. This phrase is often cited in historical accounts of the murder.
  • The king's angry words, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?", led directly to the martyrdom of Saint Thomas a Becket.

Noun

1. (Roman Catholic Church) archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170; murdered following his opposition to Henry II's attempts to control the clergy (1118-1170)