Edward Grim

Henry II was one of medieval England's greatest monarchs. Frequently referred to as the Father of English Common Law, his legal reforms provided the foundation for the judicial development of modern England. The greatest blemish on Henry's successful reign involved the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Henry and Becket strongly disagreed on the subject of the relationship of church and state. Becket, a staunch defender of an independent church, opposed Henry's attempts to control the church in England. In 1164, Becket went into voluntary exile in France in protest over the king's attempts to restrict the power of church courts. Returning to England six years later, he openly and vehemently condemned those who supported Henry's position. The king reacted with such rage to Becket's criticism that four of Henry's knights interpreted his reaction as a command to assassinate the...