The Lives of Thomas Becket

Download or read book The Lives of Thomas Becket written by Michael Staunton and published by Manchester University Press. This book was released on 2001-12-07 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Through the eye-witness and contemporary biographical accounts, this book provides valuable insight into the late-12th century world. The extracts, many previously untranslated, expose one of the most controversial figures of the Middle Ages. Written as the shock of Becket's murder in 1170 reverberated around Europe, the accounts provide vivid testimony to the most dramatic events of his life. They show how he became champion of the church and enemy of the king, fled into exile to lead a life of asceticism and political agitation, and returned to face martyrdom before the altar of his own cathedral.