Martyrdom of Thomas Becket

The martyrdom of Thomas Becket refers to his death in 1170 when he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury and initially a close friend of King Henry II. However, he later defended the church’s rights against the king’s demands. This conflict led to four knights, misunderstanding the king’s words, killing Becket as he prayed. His death shocked many, and he was soon venerated as a saint. His martyrdom highlights the struggle between church authority and royal power, symbolizing personal sacrifice for religious principles.