The British nation a history / by George MWrong . eseemed to share Henrys plans for crush-ing the independent claims both of theChurch and of the baronage. He forcednew taxes upon the clergy, which theypaid with bitter protests, and he tookthe field and fought in helmet and hau-berk at the head of Henrys troops. Hewas handsome and cultivated, and livedin state greater than the kings. At last,in 1163, when Archbishop Theobald died,Thomas a Becket, at the age of forty-four, became Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket had taken no part in the profligate life of Henrys court, and no one of vicious cha
The British nation a history / by George MWrong . eseemed to share Henrys plans for crush-ing the independent claims both of theChurch and of the baronage. He forcednew taxes upon the clergy, which theypaid with bitter protests, and he tookthe field and fought in helmet and hau-berk at the head of Henrys troops. Hewas handsome and cultivated, and livedin state greater than the kings. At last,in 1163, when Archbishop Theobald died,Thomas a Becket, at the age of forty-four, became Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket had taken no part in the profligate life of Henrys court, and no one of vicious character was among his friends. There is no contradiction be- „,!L!lw?^„^^ tween his earlier career as chancellor and hisas arciiDisnopi later as archbishop. He devoted himselfwholly to the task of the moment. As archbishop, onefixed idea—to assert the Churchs rights—absorbed him,and fearlessly and obstinately, with no thought of compro-mise, he fought Henry to the bitter end. Wise men ofhis own class feared his extreme tendencies. Gilbert. Thomas a Becket. (lllS?-n70). From Lis seal. 96 THE BRITISH NATION Foliot, Bisliop of London, an abler man and as good achurchman, once, after long and vain remonstrances, saidto him bluntly, You were ever a fool, you are still one,and you always will be one. His outward demeanourchanged as soon as he was consecrated archbishop. Hishabits became ascetic and his charities enormous. Herose in the night for prayer, and at daybreak was busystudying the Scriptures; he washed the feet of thirteenpoor men daily and served them at table; beneatb hisrich garments he wore a hair shirt. Becket conformedto the standard of saintship of his time, and there is noreason to doubt his sincerity or devotion. To the kingsdisgust he promptly resigned the chancellorship, holdingits duties to be incompatible with those of his new posi-tion, and at once disputes began; first, upon questions oftaxation, and then about the jurisdiction over clerics whocommitted
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