2. Becket was to blame for this dispute

As Becket was not part of the established hierarchy before becoming chancellor, his rapid wealth and fame made him arrogant

When he became archbishop, Becket's reputation and lifestyle was perceived as bizarre by many, almost offensive

In 1159 in Germany, Frederick Barbarossa had appointed his chancellor as archbishop, he continued to be served without conflict or strain. The fact that Henry expected Becket to do the same suggests that Becket was to blame for their conflict.

Becket behaved completely different in the years 1162-70, which angered the King. Becket was keen to act as full as the archbishop as he had the chancellor. - once receiving his pallium from the pope, Becket surrender the chancellorship almost immediately, and began adopting extreme ecclesiastical immunities. 

Becket's style: tactless, aggressive, over-eager to exert himself. His arrogancey and inconsistency alienated many of his colleagues

In 1163 relations with the King had disintegrated as Becket insisted on clerical immunity and condemned the concept of double jeopardy 

Most bishops opposed his methods

The king and archbishop were alike in obstinacy and their hatred for loosing face

When returning from his exile in 1170, he proceeded with lack of tact, and refused to lift the excommunication of the bishops involved in YH's coronation

Learn this quote: Henry -  'what miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and promoted in my household who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born clerk' - prompted the knights to murder Becket

During his life, Becket proved to be one of the least successful archbishops in English history. 

The mess he made of his great opportunities in 1162 suggest that he was promoted beyond his abilities. Overwhelmed? He had frenetic behaviour and nervous outburts

His personality was the cause of conflict? Thomas had become convinced that only by his own death would a solution be found to the conflict

Not to blame: Thomas was just fighting the battle for the Church and the Pope - hailed as the defender of the liberties of the Church by the majority of continental ecclesiastics. 

Theobald had also misjudged Becket, as he had recommended Thomas for the position of archbishop, believing that he was sure to both defend the rights of the church and remain on good terms with Henry.

Not to blame: On the issue of criminous clerks, Becket did try to accommodate the King as far as he could, whilst not infringing on what he regarded as the rights of the church. He increased the severity of some punishments; a clerk convicted of theft was branded.

No

Not to blame: by 1170 Becket was anxious to return to England, accepting the terms he had previously rejected at Montmarte, and asked if he could re-affirm the primatial authority of Canterbury 

Becket managed to alienate the men upon whom he ought to have been able to count on for support

Becket seemed to be off in some theocratic fairytale, which was not even plausible by the pope

In each point of law each side was right on its own assumptions. Henry was upholding royal custom, Becket upheld the law of the Church

The archbishop had sworn fealty to the King, and had broken his oath

Becket's excommunication of Roger of York was a catalytic act, increasing the dispute.

Pope properly reconciled with the King and Church after his death - suggests that Becket was to blame for this conflict. Once removed from the situation the problem was resolved

Henry saw Becket's ambivalent behaviour as a sign of treachery; he repaid him with ingratitude by refusing to observe the ancient and good customs of the kingdom.

Becket's role model was the ex-Archbishop of Canterbury, Anselm of Bec. His admiration for Anselm, who was a defiant opponent of William II and Henry I, can be seen through Becket's attempt to canonise him. However, he failed to be like Anselm as he was an inept politician, whose defiance alienated the King and his counsellors. 

Becket transformed from a troublesome hysteric to a saint and a martyr 

Henry began to assert his authority over the church when Theobald was archbishop without any hostility.

Provoked his own murder - excommunicating his enemies, and riding around England almost raising rebellion against the King angered Henry

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