Gone Medieval — The Betrayal of Thomas Becket

Podcast: Gone Medieval (History Hit)
Host: Dr. Eleanor Janega, co-host Matt Lewis
Guest: Professor Michael Staughton (University College Dublin)
Release Date: April 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this Easter special, Gone Medieval revisits the turbulent life and legacy of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose murder in 1170 sent shockwaves throughout England and medieval Europe. Dr. Eleanor Janega and historian Professor Michael Staughton explore Becket’s rise from the merchant classes of London to the pinnacle of church power, the complex relationship with King Henry II, and what his story reveals about faith, politics, ambition, and medieval society. The episode weaves together narrative, analysis, and memorable moments to bring Becket’s multidimensional character to life, questioning who he truly was: a saint, a courtier, an ambitious upstart—or all at once.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. King Henry II’s Dramatic Penance at Canterbury (03:36–06:03)

• Historical Scene-Setting: Matt and Dr. Janega begin with Henry II’s barefoot pilgrimage to Becket’s tomb in July 1174, three years after Becket’s assassination.
  • Henry dons sackcloth, is publicly lashed, confesses sins, and seeks forgiveness at Becket’s shrine.
  • The event underscores the Church’s dominance and Becket’s posthumous influence.
• Insight: The act marks a symbolic turning point in monarch-church relations, cementing Becket as a martyr and Canterbury as a pilgrimage site.
• Quote:

  “For those who look on, the sight of the King humbling himself in such extreme acts of self-mortification is both shocking and inspiring. It speaks of the power of the Church and the seriousness with which Henry takes his faith and his responsibilities as a ruler.”
  — Dr. Eleanor Janega (04:29)

2. Becket’s Martyrdom and Its Aftermath (06:03–09:25)

• Origin of Conflict: The friendship between Becket and Henry II dissolves over the autonomy of the Church vs. the Crown.
• Henry’s legendary outburst—“Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?”—leads to Becket’s murder by four knights at Canterbury Cathedral.
• Aftermath:
  • Becket is canonized; miracles reported at his tomb.
  • Henry faces threats of excommunication and revolts.
  • Becket’s cult transforms politics and piety across Europe.
  • The pilgrimage catalyzes change in the monarchy-church dynamic and becomes a lasting symbol of royal contrition.
• Quote:

  “The Church is still outraged at Becket’s murder and is threatening to undermine Henry’s authority. The Pope has even threatened to excommunicate him. Henry’s enemies have been emboldened and his sons are showing their true colors. They want to dethrone him.”
  — Dr. Eleanor Janega (07:24)

3. Thomas Becket: Piecing Together the Man (10:02–15:42)

• Historical Sources:
  • Professor Staughton explains the abundance of evidence about Becket—over 800 letters, contemporary biographies, accounts from supporters and critics, and voluminous miracle collections.
  • Unique to Becket’s case: preservation of not just hagiographies but also criticism, allowing multidimensional insight.
• The Problem of the Sources:
  • Complexity and contradiction mean we’ll never have a final, singular picture of “the real Thomas.”
• Memorable Moment:

  “One of the problems with actually getting to know Thomas is that we know so much about him…We have this vast volume of writings…But that is the great joy of looking at Thomas Becket. And it’s also part of the reason why nobody will ever come to a final verdict on this is what Thomas was like.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (10:26; 12:17)

• Quote:

  “I like that we have the haters on record as well. That’s really unusual for the Middle Ages.”
  — Dr. Elena Jarninger (14:58)

4. Becket’s Origins and Social Mobility (15:48–20:10)

• Background: Born in Cheapside, London, to Norman merchant parents—wealthy, but lacking noble blood.
• Myth and Reality: Legends arose to “fill in” his social pedigree; his biographers emphasize his middle-class, cosmopolitan roots.
• Religious Upbringing: Close relationship with his pious mother, educated at Merton Priory and briefly in Paris.
• Social Challenge: Despite wealth and connections, his lack of noble lineage made him an outsider among elite clerics and courtiers.
• Quote:

  “He was always brought up, the fact that he was Becket, the London merchant’s son…He came from a well-off family, but he didn’t come of noble blood. And that’s something that he was always reminded of throughout his life.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (15:54)

5. From Clerk to Church Power — The Making of a Medieval Career (20:10–29:18)

• Career Path:
  • Drops out of Paris studies to aid his family after misfortune.
  • Begins working as a clerk—possibly even as an accountant—a rare origin for a later saint.
• Breaking In:
  • Through familial ties to Archbishop Theobald, lands a position in Canterbury’s elite clerical circle.
  • Rise is notable for overcoming social snobbery and enmity (e.g., rivalry with Roger of Pont L’Évêque, future archbishop and Becket’s later nemesis).

6. Becket’s Talents and Reputation (29:18–33:22)

• Professional Ascendancy:
  • Quickly gains trust of Theobald; handles national and international church business.
  • Sent on legal studies to Bologna and Auxerre, mastering both canon and civil law—crucial for disputes to come.
  • Developing reputation for concealment: presents one persona publicly, another privately (as explained both by contemporary supporters and later biographers).
• Quote:

  “One of the great things about the claim to concealment is saying that Thomas was so holy that he kept it from everybody else. That’s impossible to prove or disprove.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (33:10)

7. Entering Royal Service — The Becket-Henry II Dynamic (33:22–39:32)

• Transition to Chancellor:
  • Theobald recommends Becket to Henry II as royal chancellor; considered practical, smart, and capable.
  • Some viewed Becket as a counterweight to Henry’s impetuosity, though Theobald later felt let down by Becket’s immersion in secular life.
  • Notable aside: Dr. Janega proclaims “Team Matilda” in the ongoing dispute over succession—a nod to the colorful personalities involved in English dynastic politics (35:00).
• Quote:

  “Theobald does seem to have considered that Thomas would be some kind of a restraint on Henry II…But we do actually have letters from Theobald to Thomas later…where he seems to show real disappointment at how Thomas has gone so far into the King’s way of doing things.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (35:03)

8. Life at Henry II’s Court—Friends, Feasting, and Ambition (39:32–46:35)

• Court Culture:
  • Thomas and Henry form a powerful, sometimes raucous friendship (“pet wolf,” hawking, feasting, chess, elaborate clothes).
  • Renowned tale: Henry wrestles Thomas for his cloak to give to a beggar, exemplifying their camaraderie and showmanship.
• Becket’s Extravagance:
  • As Chancellor, he leads an extravagant embassy to Paris, more splendid than the King himself.
  • Even leads troops in military campaigns—at odds with later saintly image.
• Quote:

  “If this is the chancellor, what must the King be like?”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton, describing Becket’s embassy (41:45)

• Humorous note:

  “What a guy. I absolutely love Thomas Becket as being like…the mate with the lads outside the pub who's like, nah you can take him. It’s the exact opposite of what you would think about a saint.”
  — Dr. Elena Jarninger (46:35)

9. The Big Shift: From Worldly Courtier to Embattled Bishop (46:35–51:13)

• Why the Dramatic Change?
  • Scholars debate: Was Becket always “acting the part”? Did power change him? Or was transformation natural with new responsibilities?
  • Biographers emphasize his adaptability—brilliance in any role, with a core of motivated concealment.
• Perspective:

  “It’s actually normal for people to change their minds. It’s normal for people…to take different stances on things…Sometimes, as Thomas Becket shows us, we should actually be able to appreciate the complexity of people in the past.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (47:25–50:04)

• Reflection:
  • The portrayal of Becket as solely a pious martyr flattens a far more complex, ambitious, and adaptable individual.

10. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Becket’s multidimensional legacy:

  “The great joy of looking at Thomas Becket…is part of the reason why nobody will ever come to a final verdict on this is what Thomas was like.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (10:26)

• On medieval history as a study of individuals:

  “People tend to go towards what are the connections that we can see between the different elements of a person…But sometimes, as Thomas Becket shows us, we should actually be able to appreciate the complexity of people in the past.”
  — Prof. Michael Staughton (49:20)

• On presenting sainthood:

  “What a guy. I absolutely love Thomas Becket as being like…the mate with the lads outside the pub who’s like, now you can take him. It’s the exact opposite of what you would think about a saint.”
  — Dr. Elena Jarninger (46:35)

• On Henry II’s sense of betrayal:

  “If I was Henry…and you go from like, here’s your drunken, fancy, high living, you know, battlefield, swaggering priest to get this heel turn almost…for Henry, this is going to feel, I don’t know, like a personal betrayal.”
  — Dr. Elena Jarninger (51:13)

Notable Timestamps

• 03:36–06:03: King Henry II’s penance at Canterbury
• 06:03–09:25: The murder of Becket and its immediate fallout
• 10:02–15:42: Discussion on Becket’s sources and ambiguity
• 15:48–20:10: Becket’s early life, background, and social mobility
• 23:55–29:18: How Becket entered the upper echelons of the Church
• 39:32–46:35: Life at Henry II’s court; Becket as friend and courtier
• 46:35–51:13: The transformation into archbishop and debate over Becket’s real self

Tone & Language

The episode combines lively storytelling, scholarly insight, and accessible humor, matching the vibrant candor of the hosts and guest. Dr. Janega’s wit (“Team Matilda,” “the mate with the lads outside the pub”), Staughton’s erudition, and Lewis’s narrative skill keep the discussion both entertaining and illuminating.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a perfect entry-point for anyone interested in the drama and nuance of English medieval history. Rather than simply retelling the story of Becket’s martyrdom, it reconstructs his life as a study in medieval complexity—both uniquely documented and perennially ambiguous. Listeners come away not only with a vivid portrait of Becket and Henry II, but a sense of how medieval sources shape our understanding of the past—and why, centuries later, Becket’s “betrayal” still fascinates and divides.

For more on the fateful break between Becket and Henry II, and its dramatic consequences, listeners are encouraged to follow the rest of the series.