Henry II Plantagenet, the grandson of William the Conqueror, received an extraordinary legacy. His mother received the kingdom of England and the duchies of Normandy and Brittany. From his father's dominions Anjou, Maine and Touraine, and as dowry of his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was bequeathed all the land between the Loire and Pyrenees.
By occupying the English throne (1154) was already the most powerful lord in France. Once crowned, his first objective was to combat feudal anarchy, and to do resorted to Thomas Becket, who appointed royal chancellor in 1155.
Becket was the one who ruled, while Henry spent some time in their French domains. He is owed the broad policy and legislative work has reduced to obedience to the feudal lords.
In 1164 the promulgation of the Constitutions of Clarendon, which removed the immunity of clerics, restricting his right to appeal to Rome and limited the jurisdiction of religious courts. Becket was consistent with his position and expressed a radical opposition because as bishop must defend the rights of the Catholic hierarchy.
When King learned that the archbishop proclaimed the superiority of the Church on the decrees of the crown, ordered a relentless pursuit. Becket fled to France after being convicted of treason.
For 6 years he lived retired in French monasteries, until returning to England in 1170. That same year, 4 men assassinated him at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral. The crime provoked the indignation of the English Catholics. In fact it was said that his tomb worked miracles. There was even a hint of insurrection. To the popular clamor, Pope Alexander III in 1173 agreed to canonize him. Enrique
denied accusations that he pointed out as an instigator and to appease the spirits had to undergo public penance and be whipped by the monks at the tomb of one who had been his faithful servant and his worst enemy.
By occupying the English throne (1154) was already the most powerful lord in France. Once crowned, his first objective was to combat feudal anarchy, and to do resorted to Thomas Becket, who appointed royal chancellor in 1155.
Becket was the one who ruled, while Henry spent some time in their French domains. He is owed the broad policy and legislative work has reduced to obedience to the feudal lords.
In 1164 the promulgation of the Constitutions of Clarendon, which removed the immunity of clerics, restricting his right to appeal to Rome and limited the jurisdiction of religious courts. Becket was consistent with his position and expressed a radical opposition because as bishop must defend the rights of the Catholic hierarchy.
When King learned that the archbishop proclaimed the superiority of the Church on the decrees of the crown, ordered a relentless pursuit. Becket fled to France after being convicted of treason.
For 6 years he lived retired in French monasteries, until returning to England in 1170. That same year, 4 men assassinated him at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral. The crime provoked the indignation of the English Catholics. In fact it was said that his tomb worked miracles. There was even a hint of insurrection. To the popular clamor, Pope Alexander III in 1173 agreed to canonize him. Enrique
denied accusations that he pointed out as an instigator and to appease the spirits had to undergo public penance and be whipped by the monks at the tomb of one who had been his faithful servant and his worst enemy.
