Beer and bloodshed on the trail of Thomas Becket, that turbulent priest
Hiding out from a furious Henry II, Thomas Becket sought refuge in Sens – and found much to enjoy there. Modern-day visitors will too
The murder of Becket in Canterbury Cathedral
Credit: Getty
It is well known that, as Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket was ascetic, wore a hair shirt crawling with lice and fell out so thunderously with Henry II that, in 1164, he fled for France. Then he returned to be murdered in his cathedral in 1170. That was 850 years ago on December 29. The British Museum was due to mark this anniversary now but has, perforce, pushed the exhibition back to next spring.