1-627-840 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

King Henry II (1133-1189) doing penance at the tomb of Thomas a Becket. Henry ruled as King of England from 1154 to 1189. He was the first Plantagenet (or Angevin) King. St Thomas Becket (c1118-1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. He engaged in a conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church and was assassinated by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. He is also commonly known as Thomas à Becket, although this form may not have been contemporary. From Cassell's Illustrated History of England.