Henry II, Thomas Becket, and Church Immunity

“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” With these infamous words King Henry II of England set in motion the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, and forever doomed his legacy, while Becket was launched into Sainthood. This most famous of medieval murders is the best remembered incident of the lives of both Henry and Becket, but what is often forgotten is the substance of the issues that caused this great rift to occur. At issue was whether the clergy were subject to punishment from secular authorities or if they should be judged only by the church. Sadly, given the recent findings of a grand jury, this issue seems eerily familiar and relevant today and so it is worth retelling this story. Given certain recent revelations in the Catholic church, this story may take on increased significance.