Life of Thomas à Becket

Name: Life of Thomas à Becket
Author: Henry Hart Milman

By Henry Hart Milman

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About This Book

The biography traces the career of an ambitious cleric who becomes a royal chancellor, accepts the highest bishopric, and undergoes a striking conversion from royal confidant to uncompromising champion of ecclesiastical privileges. It recounts the escalating clash with the monarch over clerical immunity and legal jurisdiction, the cleric's periods of resistance, exile, and return, and his violent death in the cathedral, followed by rapid popular veneration and pilgrimage to his tomb. Throughout, the narrative examines tensions between spiritual authority and secular power, personal conscience and political loyalty, and the legal and moral arguments used by both sides.

About the Author

Henry Hart Milman

Henry Hart Milman was a 19th-century English historian, poet, and playwright, known for his contributions to literature and historical scholarship. He served as the Professor of Poetry at Oxford and later became the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. Milman's notable works include the historical biography "Life of Thomas à Becket," which explores the life and legacy of the famous archbishop, and the poetry collection "Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems," which reflects his literary prowess and interest in classical themes. His writings often blend historical narrative with poetic expression, contributing to the rich tapestry of Victorian literature.