1. Notes on the aftermath of Becket's death

After his martyrdom the cult of St Thomas spread across Christendom, with his canonisation Feb 1173, and miracles attributed to him.

When Henry heard the news of Becket's death he went to Ireland from Oct 1171 to April 1172. This proved to be an effective plan as the angry passions of his rivals had reduced by his return. His cardinal legates were now prepared to negotiate on reasonable terms. 

Henry was formally reconciled with the Church 21 May 1173 at Avranches: accepted his part in the murder (his unguarded words may have had an influence). Had to provide 200 knights for one year defence at Jerusalem, go on crusade (built 3 monasteries instead), renounce customs introduced in his reign which prohibited the church, allow appeals to Rome, restore Canterbury's possessions 

A decision on the criminous clerks took a long time. Ultimately in 1176 it was decided that clerks committing forest offences could be tried in a secular court 

The freedom of appeals to Rome was more important to Alexander, and he succeeded. This was inevitable really, as appeals to Rome had become an integral part of the ecclesiastical system; it was too firmly established to be lightly abandoned. 

Royal authority over the church was exercised much the same way as before

Allowed 'free' elections to vacant sees, as long as who was selected was Henry's choice ' I order you to hold a free election, but I forbid you to elect anyone except Richard my clerk'. Here, Henry took the opportunity to fill the many vacant positions with his own supporters

Henry's immediate concern was to secure the support of the church throughout his sons' rebellion - this was easier when his supports were the bishops. The desired result was achieved, with the church remaining loyal afterwards and making no effort to interfere with the King's conduct of ecclesiastical affairs 

Becket's death made relations between church and state easier, rather than more difficult as would be expected

The Pope's advice was sought and obeyed. 

Henry did not make a complete surrender: he had not repealed all the 'ancient customs' e.g the king still controlled elections to high ecclesiastical office, forbade the excommunication of royal officials 

Treason and forest offences were excluded from the list of felonies cognizable by the Church courts. Other offences had to go under investigation first by the lay courts before 'benefit of the clergy' was allowed

Liaison between monarchy and church wasn't broken - good for a conclusion

The clergy were still willing to supply the king with advisers and officials 

Papal confirmation of the interdict on his continental lands came before he went to Ireland

After Becket's death the archbishop of York and the other bishops involved in YH's coronation were absolved and restored to their sees

Negotiations began 17 May 1172 at Savigny. Although both sides were prepared for a reconciliation, Henry refused to allow the legates total power, mistrustful of the dangers of another power base beside his in his domains 

Avranches - sufficed (adequate) to reach the terms of reconciliation. It was a compromise between equal powers, rather than terms imposed upon a defeated opponent of the Church

Henr

Henry and YH also had to give an oath of fidelity to Alexander and his successors

Henry had once again averted a major conflict

N

Now that Henry was once again in harmony with Rome, Louis VII saw no real advantage in pressing his quarrel, so was prepared to make his peace - another advantage for Henry

'The political settlement of the conflict between Henry's attempt to impose a universal standard of justice, and the Church's claim to immunity, was complete'

The compromises finally reached were nearer to Henry's aims than those of the pope. - a triumph on the king's part, as the wave of hostility that swept through Europe initially was bent on Henry's total humiliation. He was helped by the loyalty of his subjects, who didn't turn Becket's death into a political issue

Favouring Henry before Avranches: passage of time, reconciliation of the bishops, gradual return of exiles - all meant that the bitterness on both sides had time to diminish before the time of negotiations 

The exact interpretation of the conditions left Henry a great deal of room to manoeuvre - very soon after instead of founding 200 knights he founded three monasteries 

Also changed the term about renouncing restricting constitutions on the church. Henry considered these to be few or none, reverting to the old argument that the constitutions were no more than a record of existing usage; now there was no Becket to oppose him. Henry gained as he retained jurisdiction. 

The immunity of the clergy was a victory for the papacy. Alexander, before becoming pope, had written in the great law-book of the church that he justified the double trial. However, after Becket's death he issued a decremental precluding secular inquiry.  The exception to this was forest law offences 

Henry never completely blocked appeals to Rome. It was within the King's interest to restrict papal influence as to not undermine his rule; canon law might be in conflict with the existing usage approved by the king, and if canon law gave no guidence a decretal from the pope would be issued -  the king isn't able to exert influence over a decision. From Avranches on a more moderate attitude existed between Church and State 

Henry had retreated from his original aim of uniform justice in face of strong opposition, but it was hardly a dishonourable failure.

J

July 1174 the King went to Canterbury as a barefoot penitent and was publicly whipped outside the cathedral. However, by this time much of the heat generated by Becket's murder had dissipated. 

Relations restored with the Papacy, contentious parts of the C of C was renounces, and the king was successfully nominating his men to vacant bishoprics. By 1180 it seems like the Becket dispute never happened - supports the idea that the dispute was due to personality. Once one of the characters was removed from the state, normal service was likely to be resumed between the King and Church

The Pope was easily persuaded to compromise due to diplomatic circumstances with Barbarossa championing the anti pope and Henry threatening to change sides. Thus the excommunication never came and the interdict was rescinded  

The dispute brought no great changes, if anything the strength of the crown was confirmed. 

The interdict could have been destructive to the fragile Angevin empire had it remained and Louis had attacked

In 1173 all the bishops supported the king: the 6 appointed in that year were all royal clerks

Henry succeeded in what he sought at Clarendon: though clerks were still immune, they were to be tried in secular courts for treason or forest offences 

Religious Impact: Ultimately made Henry richer and gave him greater control. Took control of ecclesiastical appointments, kept Canterbury vacant until 1174 when he appointed the weak Richard, and York vacant between 1182-89 - incomes rolled into the treasury. 

Henry won: rode out the initial phase. The crown increased in legal power, political stability and control over the episcopacy. The only significant consequences the church welcomed was the right of appeal and the Cult of Thomas 

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