On this day (December 21, 1118) Thomas Becket was born
He was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the RomanCatholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II of England over the rights and privileges of the Church and was assassinated by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after the death of Thomas Becket, Pope Alexander IIIcanonized him.
image: Becket enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury from a Nottingham Alabaster in the Victoria & Albert Museum