Thomas Becket

Made famous by his death, which occurred in Canterbury Cathedral, Becket served as Lord Chancellor to King Henry II.

Becket’s death was an accident, on the King’s part. As good friends sometimes do, Henry and Thomas had several arguments through the years. While it is not known what Henry’s exact words at the time were, he was accompanied by four knights who interpreted his words as a command.

They, according to witnesses, tried to get Becket to accompany them to Winchester to give an account of his actions. When Becket refused, they retrieved their weapons from outside the cathedral, and killed him.