1-627-841 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Murder of Thomas a Becket', 1170. St Thomas Becket (c1118-1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. He engaged in a conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church and was assassinated by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. He is also commonly known as Thomas à Becket, although this form may not have been contemporary. From Cassell's Illustrated History of England.