Starter quiz
- What gave the Church spiritual authority over people in medieval England?
- People's belief in the legal system
- People's belief in the authority of the barons
- People's belief in God and dependence on the Church for guidance ✓
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- In medieval England, what did the Church's power often rival?
- the power of the common people
- the power of the crown ✓
- the power of the knights
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- Why did Henry II attempt to reform the Church in England?
- to build more cathedrals and churches
- to increase the wealth and power of the clergy
- to resolve the problem of clergy breaking the law and not facing justice ✓
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- Why did Henry II appoint Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury?
- to have a hunting companion
- to help with reforms of the English Church ✓
- to oversee royal parties and events
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- What were the Constitutions of Clarendon?
- a collection of architectural designs for cathedrals
- a series of legal reforms that reduced the power of the Church ✓
- a set of rules designed to increase the power of the Church
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- Select the reasons why Becket resisted Henry’s reforms of the Church.
- Becket became strongly religious. ✓
- Becket believed the Church should be free from the king's interference. ✓
- Becket wanted to focus on hunting and partying.
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Exit quiz
- Write the missing word. Henry II had his son Henry the ______ King crowned as King of England early.
- 'Young' ✓
- According to Becket's argument, who should have carried out the coronation of the Young King?
- The Archbishop of Canterbury, because it was in accordance with God's will. ✓
- Any bishops, because they had the divine right to do so.
- Any local lords, because they were very knowledgeable about English customs.
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- Why did four knights decide to confront and murder Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral?
- they sought to promote religious harmony in the region
- they wanted to prove their worth to the king ✓
- they wanted to test their sword-fighting skills
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- In the short term, how did the murder of Becket affect Henry II's kingdom and his position as king?
- it damaged his kingdom and led to opposition from the Church and his own family ✓
- it had no impact on his kingdom
- it strengthened his rule and popularity
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- How did Henry respond to Thomas Becket’s murder? Select two responses.
- Henry excommunicated all clergy who opposed him.
- Henry exiled himself from England.
- Henry removed controversial points from the Constitutions of Clarendon. ✓
- Henry walked barefoot to Becket’s shrine where he was whipped by the clergy. ✓
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- In the long term, how did the murder of Becket impact Henry II's control over the English Church?
- it caused the Church to become independent of the crown
- it increased Henry's control over the Church ✓
- it led to increased opposition from the bishops
- it resulted in a loss of royal authority
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Henry had his son crowned during Thomas Becket's absence from England.
- Becket returned and excommunicated the bishops involved in the coronation.
- Becket was murdered by four of Henry's knights.
- The king’s reaction to Becket's murder reveals the extent of power the Church held across Europe.
- Becket's murder ultimately strengthened the king's control over the Church.
Common misconception
The murder of Thomas Becket was the undoing of Henry II.
Long-term it increased Henry’s control over the Church. Bishops’ opposition decreased, while the Pope gave support after 1172.
Keywords
Excommunicated - when someone is excommunicated they are expelled from the Catholic Church by the Pope
Cathedral - a cathedral is a large and impressive church that contains the seat of a bishop
Martyr - a martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs
Penance - penance is to punish yourself to seek God’s forgiveness for a sin
Pilgrimage - a pilgrimage is a religious journey, usually taken to a shrine or a site of religious importance
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