Why did Thomas Becket and Henry II have a argument?

Answer 1

medieval priests did not always behave as we would expect our priests today to behave. some of them commited crimes and had to be punished. but these priests could ask to be tried by the church's own courts and often got light sentence's. Henry did not like this and passed new laws saying that priests should be tried in the kings courts like everyone else. Becket said Henry was interfering with the rights of the church. He and Henry quarrelled so strongly that in, 1165, Becket left England!

Becket returned in 1170 and he and Henry tried to work together. but Becket got so cross about what had happened he immediately excommunicated(exspelled from church) all those bishops who had been helping Henry wile he was abroad, the king could hardly believe it. in his anger he is said to have shouted "who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Four knights decided Henry wanted Becket dead and murdered him. Henry later claimed that he didn't mean that at all !

:) x

Answer 2

Simply put, Henry II wanted to consolidate his power, improving his position at the expense of the church, and Becket would not let him do it. The actual issue was what was called the Constitutions of Clarendon, which reduced the independence of the church and weakened the connection between the local Church and Rome. Becket would not sign the constitutions, and Henry charged Becket with contempt of royal authority.

Becket left the country for a time, but when he returned things were not better, and it was when things escalated that Henry's knights killed Becket.

Answer 3

he wouldn't help Henry change the church courts, because he became more religios when he became archbishop. so they argued. and broke up.