Why did the king feel threatened by Thomas Beckett?

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2026-02-17 23:35

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King Henry II felt threatened by Thomas Becket because Becket, once his close friend and chancellor, became the Archbishop of Canterbury and began to assert the Church's independence from royal authority. Becket's commitment to ecclesiastical rights and his refusal to subordinate the Church to the crown challenged the king's power. This power struggle escalated, leading Henry to perceive Becket as a rival who could undermine his authority and influence over his subjects. Ultimately, this tension culminated in Becket's murder in 1170, which shocked the kingdom and had significant repercussions for the relationship between church and state.

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