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Henry II and Thomas Becket
This [book] tells the story of the quarrel of two great and determined men 800 years ago. One, King Henry ii, who brought law and order to England, died deserted and broken-hearted in France; the other, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his own cathedral.
51 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 12, 2020
Ladybird history books are social history at it's best, from; I would estimate ages 8 to 14 for school use of simply to enjoy. They bring history alive for children, and are filled with fascinating information. As well as bringing alive an animated, exciting past, they also show how events of the past, are with us today, in so many fascinating ways.
This book, written by John Roberts, and published in 1973, has beautiful illustrations by Roger Hall.
It tells of two great and determined men. The one, who brought law and order to England, died alone and broken hearted in France. The other Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his own cathedral.
I started reading these books when I was eight years old, and they created a great lifelong love of history for me. Because of the role played by Henry II in establishing law and order in England ,
Henry II and Thomas Becket by Ladybird, tells much, in a way that a young reader can understand, about law and justice, for all, and of safeguarding the individual.
This book, written by John Roberts, and published in 1973, has beautiful illustrations by Roger Hall.
It tells of two great and determined men. The one, who brought law and order to England, died alone and broken hearted in France. The other Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his own cathedral.
I started reading these books when I was eight years old, and they created a great lifelong love of history for me. Because of the role played by Henry II in establishing law and order in England ,
Henry II and Thomas Becket by Ladybird, tells much, in a way that a young reader can understand, about law and justice, for all, and of safeguarding the individual.
January 20, 2024
Henry II, the first of the Plantagenets, or the Angevins, as the Plantagenets are often more correctly called (but not in British history) because of their descent from the Count of Anjou, was born in Le Mans, Anjou, France. He was the son of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and Matilda, the daughter of Henry I of England and granddaughter of William the Conqueror, which gave him a direct line of inheritance to the throne of England.
Henry succeeded Stephen, although Matilda reigned briefly as queen in 1141 without ever being crowned, after he invaded England in 1153 and with the death of Stephen's heir, Eustace, and then Stephen's death from a heart attack, Henry II was declared King in 1154; Matilda had by then left England, never to return.
Henry was an empire builder and he ruled more of Europe than any other English monarch, just as well for initially he spoke no English and was more at home on the continent!
Henry changed many laws and these became organised as the Law of England but his determination to see England governed by one set of laws for everybody, rich or poor, brought him into opposition with certain parties. One of these was Theobold, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose assistant was Thomas Becket. Henry and Becket initially got on well and the latter was appointed Lord Chancellor before being made Archbishop of Canterbury on Theobold's death in 1161.
There then came a falling out between Henry and Thomas with the latter commenting, 'I shall lose your friendship and you may come to hate me.' Prophetic words indeed for it came to pass thus and, after a period when Becket resided abroad, the two resumed a far from cordial relationship. 'Is there none of the knaves eating my bread who will rid me of this turbulent priest?,' asked Henry. Four knights in attendance at the time took him at his word and duly murdered Becket in his own cathedral in 1170.
Thereafter Henry continued to rule but his relationship with his four sons was fraught and with Prince Henry dying of fever and Geoffrey trampled to death at a jousting tournament, this left Richard and John as the heirs. Richard once more took up arms against his father, who was in France in command of an army when he was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm and later died at the Castle of Chinon on 6 July 1189.
The story is well told, but perhaps not quite as lucidly as those books in the same series by L Du Garde Peach. Nevertheless it is an enjoyable read and, like most Ladybird Books, very informative.
19 January 2024
Before I first read this book, I knew very little about Henry II other than he was involved with Becket, particularly when he stated, 'Is there none of the knaves eating my bread who will rid me of this turbulent priest?' Well, four of them took him at his word and finished Becket off; Henry did live to regret what he had done, but, alas, too late!
I did enjoy the re-read for it reminded me of the turbulent times during Henry's 35 years on the throne and the trouble he had with his four sons. And it reminded me that when he took over as King, he only spoke French! And also that struck by lightning while (not surprisingly perhaps) he was in France and subsequently died. It is an interesting period of English history and this little book gives a flavour of what was going on.
Henry succeeded Stephen, although Matilda reigned briefly as queen in 1141 without ever being crowned, after he invaded England in 1153 and with the death of Stephen's heir, Eustace, and then Stephen's death from a heart attack, Henry II was declared King in 1154; Matilda had by then left England, never to return.
Henry was an empire builder and he ruled more of Europe than any other English monarch, just as well for initially he spoke no English and was more at home on the continent!
Henry changed many laws and these became organised as the Law of England but his determination to see England governed by one set of laws for everybody, rich or poor, brought him into opposition with certain parties. One of these was Theobold, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose assistant was Thomas Becket. Henry and Becket initially got on well and the latter was appointed Lord Chancellor before being made Archbishop of Canterbury on Theobold's death in 1161.
There then came a falling out between Henry and Thomas with the latter commenting, 'I shall lose your friendship and you may come to hate me.' Prophetic words indeed for it came to pass thus and, after a period when Becket resided abroad, the two resumed a far from cordial relationship. 'Is there none of the knaves eating my bread who will rid me of this turbulent priest?,' asked Henry. Four knights in attendance at the time took him at his word and duly murdered Becket in his own cathedral in 1170.
Thereafter Henry continued to rule but his relationship with his four sons was fraught and with Prince Henry dying of fever and Geoffrey trampled to death at a jousting tournament, this left Richard and John as the heirs. Richard once more took up arms against his father, who was in France in command of an army when he was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm and later died at the Castle of Chinon on 6 July 1189.
The story is well told, but perhaps not quite as lucidly as those books in the same series by L Du Garde Peach. Nevertheless it is an enjoyable read and, like most Ladybird Books, very informative.
19 January 2024
Before I first read this book, I knew very little about Henry II other than he was involved with Becket, particularly when he stated, 'Is there none of the knaves eating my bread who will rid me of this turbulent priest?' Well, four of them took him at his word and finished Becket off; Henry did live to regret what he had done, but, alas, too late!
I did enjoy the re-read for it reminded me of the turbulent times during Henry's 35 years on the throne and the trouble he had with his four sons. And it reminded me that when he took over as King, he only spoke French! And also that struck by lightning while (not surprisingly perhaps) he was in France and subsequently died. It is an interesting period of English history and this little book gives a flavour of what was going on.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews