Henry II, who inherited the English throne in 1154, was a popular and reforming king who strengthened the rule of law and fostered a more effective system of justice, such as jury trial, than was in use at the time. However, Henry's reforms were often unpopular with the Church, whose members enjoyed a number of privileges including exemption from the common law. Instead they were tried in the ecclesiastical courts or, if brought before the civil courts, often appealed directly to Rome over the head of the English law.
Henry hoped to resolve these conflicts by appointing a close friend, Thomas a Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. However, Becket sided with the Church, and disputes between the two became more and more bitter until, in 1170, Henry was heard to express the wish that someone would "avenge [him] of this one upstart priest." A group of knights took him at his word and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. After his death the king did public penance, and Becket himself was made a saint. His tomb in Canterbury became a famous place of pilgrimage.
Henry hoped to resolve these conflicts by appointing a close friend, Thomas a Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. However, Becket sided with the Church, and disputes between the two became more and more bitter until, in 1170, Henry was heard to express the wish that someone would "avenge [him] of this one upstart priest." A group of knights took him at his word and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. After his death the king did public penance, and Becket himself was made a saint. His tomb in Canterbury became a famous place of pilgrimage.
