when someone is excommunicated they are expelled from the Catholic Church by the Pope

a cathedral is a large and impressive church that contains the seat of a bishop

a martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs

penance is to punish yourself to seek God’s forgiveness for a sin

a pilgrimage is a religious journey, usually taken to a shrine or a site of religious importance

The murder of Thomas Becket

History

Henry II and the Angevin Empire

Henry II's legal reforms

Henry II's church reforms

Eleanor of Aquitaine and the end of Henry II's reign

How successful was Henry II as king?

In this unit, pupils have studied a successful period of royal consolidation. In 'The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?', pupils will consider how periods of royal consolidation were not always durable in medieval England and explain how royal power proved volatile in the 15th century, experiencing both stability and instability.

In 'The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England?', pupils explained some of the ways William I consolidated his power in England. In this unit, pupils will think about some similar methods employed by Henry II and use this to evaluate the extent of royal consolidation.

In this unit, pupils learn about England and the Angevin Empire under Henry II's rule. They then use their knowledge of Henry's rule to evaluate the degree to which he was a successful king.

England under Henry II: how successfully did Henry reassert royal authority?

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Write the missing word. Henry II had his son Henry the {{}} King crowned as King of England early.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, because it was in accordance with God's will.

Any bishops, because they had the divine right to do so.

Any local lords, because they were very knowledgeable about English customs.

According to Becket's argument, who should have carried out the coronation of the Young King?

they sought to promote religious harmony in the region

they wanted to prove their worth to the king

they wanted to test their sword-fighting skills

Why did four knights decide to confront and murder Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral? 

it damaged his kingdom and led to opposition from the Church and his own family

In the short term, how did the murder of Becket affect Henry II's kingdom and his position as king?

Henry excommunicated all clergy who opposed him.

Henry removed controversial points from the Constitutions of Clarendon.

Henry walked barefoot to Becket’s shrine where he was whipped by the clergy.

How did Henry respond to Thomas Becket’s murder? Select two responses.

it caused the Church to become independent of the crown

it increased Henry's control over the Church

it led to increased opposition from the bishops

In the long term, how did the murder of Becket impact Henry II's control over the English Church?

People's belief in the authority of the barons

People's belief in God and dependence on the Church for guidance

What gave the Church spiritual authority over people in medieval England?

In medieval England, what did the Church's power often rival?

to increase the wealth and power of the clergy

to resolve the problem of clergy breaking the law and not facing justice

Why did Henry II attempt to reform the Church in England?

to help with reforms of the English Church

Why did Henry II appoint Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury?

a collection of architectural designs for cathedrals

a series of legal reforms that reduced the power of the Church

a set of rules designed to increase the power of the Church

What were the Constitutions of Clarendon?

Becket believed the Church should be free from the king's interference.

Becket wanted to focus on hunting and partying.

Select the reasons why Becket resisted Henry’s reforms of the Church.

The murder of Thomas Becket

Lesson outcome

Content guidance