Born in London in the early 12th century, his father, Gilbert, was a property owner and may have been a Knight, and his mother, Matilde, was of Norman descent. 

When he was in his early 20s Thomas found work in the household of Theobold of Bec, and when Bec became Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas went with him. 

After proving himself on several important missions to Rome, Thomas was made Archdeacon of Canterbury and became so accomplished, that the Archbishop recommended Thomas to King Henry II as Lord Chancellor. 

He was just 36 years old. 

After Theobold died, King Henry made Thomas the Archbishop of Canterbury but on that occasion, Thomas warned the King that he would not allow him to interfere in Church matters. 

But King Henry insisted and soon, Becket was asked to approve the Constitutions of Clarendon, which denied clergy the right to a trial by a Church Court and cut off any appeals to Rome. Initially, Thomas Beckett agreed but then reversed his position which infuriated the King. 

Becket went into exile in France where he stayed for seven years. Then he returned, knowing it would likely mean his death. And it did. 

As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Becket censured several Bishops who had received preferential treatment by the Crown. When King Henry II ordered Beckett to remove the censures, he refused. 

Enraged, the King ordered him to be killed. 

On this day in Canterbury Cathedral, four Knights sent by the King, murdered Thomas Becket, as he was saying mass. 

St. Thomas Becket, please pray for us.