Chapter XVIII

THE REIGN OF HENRY II.(_continued_).--CAREER OF THOMAS BECKET.

Early Life of Becket--Rapid Advance in the King's
Service--Magnificence of his Embassy to Paris--The King, the
Chancellor, and the Beggar--Depravity of the Clergy--Becket's
Reforming Zeal--Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury--Extraordinary
Change in his Habits--At Frequent Issue with the King--The
Council of Clarendon--Becket Defies the King--Popularity
with the People--His Flight from Northampton--Arrival at St.
Omer--Obtains the Support of Louis and the Pope--Henry's Edict
of Banishment--Defeat of the English by the Welsh--Insurrection
in Brittany--Becket Excommunicates his Opponents--Henry's
Anger--The Pope's Action against Becket--Interview between
Becket and the King--The Two Reconciled--Return of Becket
to England--His Christmas Sermon--The King's Fury--The Vow
of the Conspirators--Scene in Becket's House--Murder of the
Archbishop--Henry's Grief--Review of Becket's Career 187