Thomas Becket was a brilliant, charismatic and ambitious man who rose to the position of Lord Chancellor of England. King Henry II, intent upon becoming the absolute ruler of both Church and State, appointed his loyal friend and chancellor as Archbishop of Canterbury. Thomas was ordained priest on June 2, 1162, and consecrated archbishop the next day. Thomas’ way of life changed considerably as the once worldly and extravagant courtier gave himself to austere disciplines including fasting, hair shirts, and lengthy prayer vigils.
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