Shortened

BBC Radio 4 LW

In Our Time

Discussion & Talk

Podcasts

Factual: History

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Melvyn Bragg

Laura Ashe

Michael Staunton

Danica Summerlin

Simon Tillotson

In Our Time: Thomas Becket

in-our-time_141217_e_gt.jpg

14/12/2017

Thomas Becket

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Thomas Becket

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life, murder and impact of Thomas Becket (c 1118-1170)

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Thomas Becket, chancellor turned archbishop, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral and whose tomb became a centre of pilgrimage across Europe.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the man who was Henry II's Chancellor and then Archbishop of Canterbury and who was murdered by knights in Canterbury Cathedral (depicted by Matthew Paris, above). Henry believed that Becket owed him loyalty as he had raised him to the highest offices, and that he should agree to Henry's courts having jurisdiction over 'criminous clerics'. They fell out when Becket agreed to this jurisdiction verbally but would not put his seal on the agreement, the Constitutions of Clarendon. The rift deepened when Henry's heir was crowned without Becket, who excommunicated the bishops who took part. Becket's tomb became one of the main destinations for pilgrims for the next 400 years, including those in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales where he was the 'blisful martir'. 

With 

Laura Ashe
Associate Professor of English at Worcester College, University of Oxford

Michael Staunton
Associate Professor in History at University College Dublin

And

Danica Summerlin
Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Sheffield


Producer: Simon Tillotson.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Our Time

Thomas Becket

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4