Question
Source 1
The Life of Saint Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr, Edward Grim, 1173
Edward Grim, a visitor to Canterbury Cathedral, was with Archbishop Thomas Becket when he was murdered. Grim himself was wounded as he attempted to protect Becket. He later wrote about the attack.
... the sacrilegious men entered the house of peace and reconciliation with swords drawn; indeed the sight alone as well as the rattle of arms inflicted not a small amount of horror on those who watched. And those knights who approached the confused and disordered people who had been observing vespers [evening prayer] but, by now, had run toward the lethal spectacle exclaimed in a rage: "Where is Thomas Becket, traitor of the king and kingdom?" No one responded and instantly they cried out more loudly, "Where is the archbishop?" Unshaken he... said in an adequately audible voice, "Here I am, not a traitor of the king but a priest; why do you seek me?"... The murderers pursued him and asked, "Absolve and restore to communion those you have excommunicated and return to office those who have been suspended." To these words [Thomas) replied, "No penance [action showing regret] has been made, so I will not absolve them." "Then you," they said, "will now die and will suffer what you have earned." "And I," he said, "am prepared to die for my Lord, so that in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace; but in the name of Almighty God I forbid that you hurt my men...."
With rapid motion they laid sacrilegious hands on him, handling and dragging him roughly outside of the walls of the church.... [H]e bravely pushed one (of the knights)... saying. "Don't touch me, Reginald, you who owes me faith and obedience, you who foolishly follow your accomplices." On account of the rebuff the knight was suddenly set on fire with a terrible rage and, wielding a sword... said, "I don't owe faith or obedience to you that is in opposition to the fealty [faithfulness] I owe my lord king." The invincible martyr-seeing that the hour which would bring the end to his miserable mortal life was at hand... with his neck bent as if he were in prayer and with his joined hands elevated above-commended himself and the cause of the Church to God, St. Mary, and the blessed martyr St. Denis.
1. What demand did the knights make of the archbishop? Why?
2. What did the archbishop mean when he said "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace"?
3. In what way vay does the conversation in the second paragraph echo the ongoing struggle between the Roman Catholic Church and the English monarchy?
Medieval Christian Europe Source Exploration
The Life of Saint Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr, Edward Grim, 1173
Edward Grim, a visitor to Canterbury Cathedral, was with Archbishop Thomas Becket when he was murdered. Grim himself was wounded as he attempted to protect Becket. He later wrote about the attack.
... the sacrilegious men entered the house of peace and reconciliation with swords drawn; indeed the sight alone as well as the rattle of arms inflicted not a small amount of horror on those who watched. And those knights who approached the confused and disordered people who had been observing vespers [evening prayer] but, by now, had run toward the lethal spectacle exclaimed in a rage: "Where is Thomas Becket, traitor of the king and kingdom?" No one responded and instantly they cried out more loudly, "Where is the archbishop?" Unshaken he... said in an adequately audible voice, "Here I am, not a traitor of the king but a priest; why do you seek me?"... The murderers pursued him and asked, "Absolve and restore to communion those you have excommunicated and return to office those who have been suspended." To these words [Thomas) replied, "No penance [action showing regret] has been made, so I will not absolve them." "Then you," they said, "will now die and will suffer what you have earned." "And I," he said, "am prepared to die for my Lord, so that in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace; but in the name of Almighty God I forbid that you hurt my men...."
With rapid motion they laid sacrilegious hands on him, handling and dragging him roughly outside of the walls of the church.... [H]e bravely pushed one (of the knights)... saying. "Don't touch me, Reginald, you who owes me faith and obedience, you who foolishly follow your accomplices." On account of the rebuff the knight was suddenly set on fire with a terrible rage and, wielding a sword... said, "I don't owe faith or obedience to you that is in opposition to the fealty [faithfulness] I owe my lord king." The invincible martyr-seeing that the hour which would bring the end to his miserable mortal life was at hand... with his neck bent as if he were in prayer and with his joined hands elevated above-commended himself and the cause of the Church to God, St. Mary, and the blessed martyr St. Denis.
1. What demand did the knights make of the archbishop? Why?
2. What did the archbishop mean when he said "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace"?
3. In what way vay does the conversation in the second paragraph echo the ongoing struggle between the Roman Catholic Church and the English monarchy?
Medieval Christian Europe Source Exploration
Answers
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1. **What demand did the knights make of the archbishop? Why?**
The knights demanded that Archbishop Thomas Becket absolve and restore to communion those individuals he had excommunicated and return to office those who had been suspended. This demand stemmed from their desire to challenge Becket's authority and the power he wielded as a church leader, particularly concerning ecclesiastical matters that were in conflict with the interests of the monarchy. The knights, acting on behalf of King Henry II, sought to undermine Becket’s influence and compel obedience to the king's wishes regarding church governance.
2. **What did the archbishop mean when he said "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace"?**
When Archbishop Becket stated, "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace," he was expressing his belief that his martyrdom would serve a higher purpose. He suggested that his death would be a sacrifice that would eventually lead to greater freedom and independence for the Church from royal authority and interference. It reflects his conviction that enduring persecution and standing firm in his principles would help assert the Church's rights and restore harmony, reflecting the broader struggle between ecclesiastical power and secular authority during this period.
3. **In what way does the conversation in the second paragraph echo the ongoing struggle between the Roman Catholic Church and the English monarchy?**
The conversation in the second paragraph highlights the tension between ecclesiastical authority and the power of the monarchy. Becket’s refusal to absolve the excommunicated individuals and his statement of allegiance to God over the king epitomize the struggle for independence that the Church sought during this period. The knights’ insistence on compliance with the king's orders illustrates their view that secular authority should take precedence over religious authority. This dynamic encapsulates the larger conflict of the time, where the Church aimed to maintain its spiritual jurisdiction against the encroaching power of the monarchy, ultimately leading to the martyrdom of figures like Becket who stood firm on these principles.
The knights demanded that Archbishop Thomas Becket absolve and restore to communion those individuals he had excommunicated and return to office those who had been suspended. This demand stemmed from their desire to challenge Becket's authority and the power he wielded as a church leader, particularly concerning ecclesiastical matters that were in conflict with the interests of the monarchy. The knights, acting on behalf of King Henry II, sought to undermine Becket’s influence and compel obedience to the king's wishes regarding church governance.
2. **What did the archbishop mean when he said "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace"?**
When Archbishop Becket stated, "in my blood the church will attain liberty and peace," he was expressing his belief that his martyrdom would serve a higher purpose. He suggested that his death would be a sacrifice that would eventually lead to greater freedom and independence for the Church from royal authority and interference. It reflects his conviction that enduring persecution and standing firm in his principles would help assert the Church's rights and restore harmony, reflecting the broader struggle between ecclesiastical power and secular authority during this period.
3. **In what way does the conversation in the second paragraph echo the ongoing struggle between the Roman Catholic Church and the English monarchy?**
The conversation in the second paragraph highlights the tension between ecclesiastical authority and the power of the monarchy. Becket’s refusal to absolve the excommunicated individuals and his statement of allegiance to God over the king epitomize the struggle for independence that the Church sought during this period. The knights’ insistence on compliance with the king's orders illustrates their view that secular authority should take precedence over religious authority. This dynamic encapsulates the larger conflict of the time, where the Church aimed to maintain its spiritual jurisdiction against the encroaching power of the monarchy, ultimately leading to the martyrdom of figures like Becket who stood firm on these principles.
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