8. Principles Conflict

8. Principles Conflict

1. The two men clashed over deep seated principles in 1164 when Henry tried to enforce ecclesiastical agreement to the C of C

2. Henry

   • Henry felt very strongly about restoring and protecting royal privilages
     • e.g in secular matters he had destroyed illegal castles and carried out inquests such as the Sheriffs in 1170 and Cartae Baronum
   • Had a huge problem with criminous clerks - damaging to his newly organised legal system
     • Also problems such as Bishops also being tenants-in-chief who Henry need to control legally
     • Undermines England's peace and stability
   • C of C - to reassert 'Ancient Customs' and remove the powers of the Church
   • Treaty of Avranches in 1172 shows that Henry had strong principles at heart, as he managed to get many of the Ancient Customs confirmed

3. Becket

   • Felt especially strongly about 'criminous clerks'
   • Didn't want to abandon the church cause - he therefore refused to submit to the King, and chose to go into excile
     • He did seem to be genuinely pious - wore monk's robes and a hair shirt full of lice
     • When he initially gave verbal agreement to Henry that he would support the C of C he was under pressure from the Pope/bishops - under canon law any oath taken under duress was invalid
     • For Becket, the clergy formed a separate and distinct body under Christ, subject to its own laws and disipline
   • Didn't want the church to be subordinate to the crown, as they felt they had gained these rights lawfully over the years.
   • Refused to pay Henry's tax at the Council of Woodstock July 1173 from Canterbury lands