Birth of Thomas a Becket
Birth of Thomas a Becket
Role range: 1162-1170
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Thomas a Becket Biography and Timeline
Follow Thomas a Becket through 34 dated historical records for England.
Thomas a Becket, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
34Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1118–1173Years on this page
1118
1143
Archbishop
Obtains a post in the household of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Role range: 1162-1170
1154
Archbishop of Canterbury
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Role range: 1162-1170
Archbishop
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Role range: 1162-1170
1155
Lord Chancellor
Appointed Chancellor, the highest official in England
Role range: 1155-1162
1159
Invasion of France
Leads an English invasion to assert Eleanor of Aquitaines rights but is driven off
Role range: 1155-1162
Siege of Toulouse
Leads an English invasion to assert Eleanor of Aquitaines rights but is driven off
Role range: 1155-1162
1161
Constable of Tower of London
Appointed Constable of the Tower of London
Role range: 1161-1162
Tower of London
Appointed Constable of the Tower of London
Role range: 1161-1162
1162
Archbishop of Canterbury
Consecrated as Archbishop & then changes loyalty from Henry II to the Church
Role range: 1162-1170
Consecration
Consecrated as Archbishop & then changes loyalty from Henry II to the Church
Role range: 1162-1170
Archbishop of Canterbury
Resigns as Lord Chancellor after being consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury
Role range: 1155-1162
Resignation of Thomas a Becket
Resigns as Lord Chancellor after being consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury
Role range: 1155-1162
1163
Council of Westminster
Leads the Bishops in opposition to the Councils rulings
Role range: 1162-1170
Council of Woodstock
Thomas a Becket defeats Henry IIs attempts to raise a land tax
Role range: 1162-1170
1164
Council of Northampton
Defends himself by use of the "benefit of clergy". Accused of embezzlement while Chancellor
Role range: 1162-1170
Constitution of England
Refuses to seal the Constitutions of Clarendon
Role range: 1162-1170
Council of Clarendon
Becket rejects the Council of Clarendon & is condemned at the Council of Northton
Role range: 1162-1170
Exile of Thomas a Becket
Arrives at Flanders to seek his exile
Role range: 1162-1170
Exile of Thomas a Becket
Secretly leaves Northampton to seek exile abroad
Role range: 1162-1170
Exile of Thomas a Becket
Arrives at Sandwich in order to leave the shores of Britain
Role range: 1162-1170
1166
Papal Legate
Pope Alexander III appoints Thomas Beckett Papal legate against the will of Henry II
Role range: 1162-1170
1170
Coronation
Recrowns Henry II
Role range: 1162-1170
Assassination of Thomas a Becket
Murdered by 4 of Henry IIs knights at the alter of St Benedict, Canterbury cathedral
Role range: 1162-1170
Death of Thomas a Becket
Death of Thomas a Becket, assassinated
Role range: 1162-1170
Coronation
Returns to England after 6 yrs & excommunicates Bishops who had crowned Henry
Role range: 1162-1170
Excommunication
Returns to England after 6 yrs & excommunicates Bishops who had crowned Henry
Role range: 1162-1170
Assassination of Thomas a Becket
Possible excommunication leads Henry to say "who will rid me of this turbulent priest"
Role range: 1162-1170
Coronation
Returns to England after 6 yrs & excommunicates Bishops who had crowned Henry. Persuades Pope Alexander III to suspend the Bishops who crowned Prince Henry
Role range: 1162-1170
Dismissal
Persuades Pope Alexander III to suspend the Bishops who crowned Prince Henry
Role range: 1162-1170
Excommunication
Returns to England after 6 yrs & excommunicates Bishops who had crowned Henry. Excommunicates the Archbishop of York & 2 Bishops who assisted Henrys coronation
Role range: 1162-1170
Exile of Thomas a Becket
Issues Henry II an interdict, Henry yields & allows Becket to return to England. Henry II allows Becket to return to England
Role range: 1162-1170
1172
Canonization
Canonized by Pope Alexander III
Role range: 1162-1170
1173
Canonization
Thomas a Becket is canonized
Role range: 1162-1170
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.