Why did conflict arise between Henry11 and Thomas Becket? Answer from Henry refused to appoint becket as a archbishop of England, Henry resisted the Norman invasion of England, becket refused to recognize Henry as king, becket supported the authority of the church of the monarchy
The correct answer is, "Henry refused to appoint Becket as archbishop of England." Thomas Becket was a trusted advisor and friend of King Henry II, and when the position of Archbishop of Canterbury became vacant in 1162, Henry saw an opportunity to have an ally in that position. However, Becket's loyalty shifted after he was appointed as archbishop. He began to champion the authority of the church over the monarchy, which clashed with Henry's vision of a strong centralized state where the king held ultimate power. This led to a conflict between the two men, as Henry expected Becket to support his policies and decisions, but Becket prioritized the authority of the church and its independence from royal control. Ultimately, Henry's refusal to appoint Becket for the sake of controlling the church resulted in their dispute.
The conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket primarily arose due to their differing views regarding the authority of the church and the monarchy. Here are the specific steps that led to the conflict:
1. Henry refused to appoint Becket as the Archbishop of England: In 1162, Henry nominated Thomas Becket, who was his close friend and chancellor, as the Archbishop of Canterbury without properly consulting the church. This move was intended to consolidate the king's power over the church and maintain control.
2. Becket resisted the Norman invasion of England: As Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket prioritized the independence and authority of the church. He opposed Henry's attempts to exert control over ecclesiastical matters and resisted the king's efforts to influence church appointments and decisions.
3. Becket refused to recognize Henry as king: Becket's steadfast commitment to the authority of the church led to his refusal to acknowledge Henry's claim of royal authority. He argued that only the church had the power to crown and legitimize a king, not the monarchy itself.
4. Becket supported the authority of the church over the monarchy: Becket consistently defended the rights and privileges of the church, often clashing with Henry's desire to assert his control over it. He defended the church's jurisdiction in cases involving clergy, opposed the imposition of royal taxes on the church, and advocated for the independence of canon law.
These differing positions and conflicts of interest ultimately led to a significant breakdown in the relationship between Henry and Becket, exacerbating the disputes between the church and the monarchy.
The correct answer is that conflict arose between Henry II and Thomas Becket because Henry refused to have Becket appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the historical context. Henry II was the King of England from 1154 to 1189, and Thomas Becket was a close friend and advisor to Henry. In 1162, King Henry II wanted Becket to become the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest religious position in England, in order to increase royal control over the church. However, Becket initially hesitated and did not readily accept the position.
The specific reason for conflict between Henry and Becket originated from the role and authority of the Church and its relationship with the monarchy. Becket, after assuming the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, underwent a significant transformation. He became a staunch defender of the rights and authority of the church, often clashing with Henry's desire to exert royal control over church affairs.
Becket's shift in allegiance created tension and conflicts with Henry. He actively opposed the king's attempts to extend royal jurisdiction over matters handled by the church. Becket argued for the inviolability of the Church's rights and independence, which directly challenged the king's authority. Their disagreements grew increasingly heated, leading to a full-blown conflict between Henry and Becket.
In 1170, the situation escalated when King Henry II reportedly made a dismissive remark, which was interpreted as an order, about Becket to his loyal knights. Taking this as an opportunity to assert his authority against the church, these knights assassinated Thomas Becket within the Canterbury Cathedral. This act shocked and outraged the nation, establishing Becket as a martyr and leading to his eventual canonization by the Catholic Church.
Therefore, the primary cause of the conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket was Henry's initial refusal to appoint Becket as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the subsequent clash over the authority and rights of the Church versus the power of the monarchy.