Saint Thomas
à Becket
Saint Thomas à Becket was a good friend of King Henry
IV of England.
King Henry didn't like the control that the church had with the
nobility, so he lobbyed for separation of church and state. This is the first
instance of this concept, and we still see it today, especially in schools where
religion is not allowed to be taught.
When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, King Henry installed
Thomas à Becket to the post.
Thomas switched allegiance to the church, and King Henry got
mad. He complained to himself at dinner one night, saying, "Will no one
rid me of this meddlesome priest?"
Four of King Henry's knights overheard him say this, so they
rode straight to Canterbury and killed Thomas while he was at the altar at the
church.
King Henry lamented the loss of his friend, and to show his sorrow,
he walked from London to Canterbury barefoot.
Ever since that time, the path has been a popular pilgrimage
route for people wishing to pay homage to Saint Thomas.
There has been some debate
over Thomas à Becket's remains- whether he lies in another person's grave,
or if his bones were destroyed. To see more about the debate, go
here.
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