The Conflict Between Thomas Becket and Henry II

Abstract

One of the most conspicuous and familiar objects in the neighborhood of London is the high hill and pointed spire of Harrow. Guided by this landmark, two horsemen in the year 1143 or thereabouts made their way from London to the Court of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, which was at the archiepiscopal manor of Harrow-on-the-Hill.|The one was a plain serving-man, whose name was Ralph of London. The other was scarce distinguishable from him by his dress, as the simplicity of the times dictated to the son of an impoverished London merchant; but his tall handsome figure and large, bright eye, beaming with the happy anticipation of a new and congenial mode of life, his free and self-possessed attitude upon his horse, the air and bearing of a gentleman in his every movement, betrayed to an observer what the humble equipments of both and the familiarity of intercourse between them would have concealed, that the younger was the master, sand the other, his attendant. The somewhat awful interview with the Archbishop, on which so much depended, was postponed to the morrow; and they sought the shelter of a hostelry in Harrow, Doubtless an unusual bustle prevailed in the village, on account of the presence of the Archbishop with his train; still something in the appearance of our humble travelers seems to have attracted the notice of their hostess; for when the next morning came, she told her husband that she dreamed during the night that one of the new-comers had covered the parish church with his vestments. The good man, who did not know who they were, said, "Perhaps it portends that one of them will be some day lord of the church and village." The figure which had impressed itself on the imagination of the dame was that of. Thomas Docket, the future Archbishop of Canterbury and martyr.