Becket

Henry II appoints Thomas Becket as Lord Chancellor to secure a loyal ally who can run his court. Becket rapidly becomes indispensable, guiding the king's day-to-day affairs and aiding in his revelry. This uneasy partnership sets the stage for a clash between crown authority and church independence.

Becket's Saxon background and closeness to the king provoke resentment among Henry's Norman nobles. Queen Eleanor and Empress Matilda also view the alliance with suspicion, fearing Becket's growing power. Court factions begin to pull at the crown as Becket's influence expands.

During a coastal France campaign, Becket learns that the archbishop has died. Henry uses the opportunity to name his successor and informs a stunned Becket that he is the royal choice. The moment traps Becket between royal ambition and church duty.

Becket refuses to remain Henry's instrument and instead aligns with the Church, provoking Henry's fury. The sanctioning of Lord Gilbert for violence against a priest becomes a flashpoint in their rift. Becket's stance marks the start of a brutal public feud over church rights and royal prerogatives.

The king seeks to remove Becket through a secret plan with the Bishop of London, relying on scandal rather than due process. The plot collapses when Becket, in full ecclesiastical garb, confronts his accusers and vows to petition the Pope for an ecclesiastical trial. The irony of the king turning his ally into his enemy becomes clear.

Becket flees to France to escape Henry's wrath, where he meets the conniving but sympathetic King Louis. Louis offers sanctuary at the Abbey of Saint Martin and uses Becket to mock English power from abroad. Becket's exile deepens the rift with Henry while strengthening his resolve to defend the church.

Becket journeys to the Vatican to plead for resignation, but the Pope reminds him of his obligation to defend church independence. He is urged to return to England and oppose civil interference rather than retreat. The visit strengthens Becket's resolve to stand with the Church against the crown.

With Louis's mediation, Becket agrees to meet Henry on the beaches of Normandy to seek a truce. Henry asks Becket if he loved him; Becket replies that he loved Henry to the best of his ability, signaling a fragile peace. Becket returns to England with a slate wiped clean for the moment.

Back in England, Henry's fixation on Becket deepens as his mood darkens with drink and jealousy. The barons observe that Becket has become a popular folk hero among the Saxons, emboldening opposition to Norman rule. The crown's grip loosens as Becket's authority grows in the popular imagination.

In a drunken moment, Henry mutters 'Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?', a phrase his barons interpret as permission. They travel to Canterbury and kill Becket and his Saxon deputy, shattering the public order. The murder reverberates across England and marks a turning point in the crown-church conflict.

Shaken by the bloodshed, Henry undergoes a penance by being whipped by Saxon monks. He publicly vows punishment for the killers of Becket, attempting to salvage his authority. The penance cements Becket's martyr status and leaves a lasting stain on the king's reputation.

Public sentiment and royal authority shift as Becket is validated as a saint. Henry proclaims the intention to canonize Becket, presenting his martyrdom as a triumph of church over crown. The legend of Thomas Becket grows among the Saxons and supporters of the church.