The Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket | Canterbury’s Saint & Henry II (29 December) ~ Michael Davies

About this sermon

The martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, stands as one of the most dramatic and consequential moments in Christian and English history. This powerful talk recounts the final days of Thomas Becket, his conflict with King Henry II, and the brutal events of December 29, 1170, when four knights murdered him inside Canterbury Cathedral. Becket’s stand was not political ambition—it was a defense of the liberty of the Church, the right of appeal to Rome, and the sacred independence of spiritual authority from royal domination. His calm courage in the face of death, his refusal to compromise truth, and his final prayers before the altar made him a martyr whose blood changed the course of history. Within three days, miracles were reported at his tomb. Within two years, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. For centuries, pilgrims came in their thousands to Canterbury—until the English Reformation, when Henry VIII ordered Becket’s shrine destroyed, his relics burned, and his very name erased from public worship. This video explores: The final meeting between Becket and Henry II The king’s infamous outburst The journey back to England knowing death awaited The murder inside Canterbury Cathedral The immediate miracles and canonization Henry II’s public penance Henry VIII’s war on St. Thomas Becket A timeless story of faith over fear, obedience to God over kings, and martyrdom for the freedom of the Church. 🕯️ “I am ready to die for the cause of God and His Church.” — St. Thomas Becket 00:00 – Final Meeting of Thomas Becket & King Henry II 01:16 – Becket Predicts His Own Death 02:00 – Henry II’s Fatal Outburst 02:14 – The Four Knights Set Out 02:39 – Becket Returns to Canterbury 03:40 – Christmas Day Sermon & Excommunications 04:10 – Knights Meet at Saltwood Castle 04:25 – Confrontation with the Archbishop 05:48 – “This Is a Church, Not a Castle” 06:25 – “Where Is the Archbishop?” 06:41 – “I Am No Traitor, But a Priest of God” 07:34 – Edward Grim Wounded Defending Becket 07:56 – Becket’s Final Prayer 08:10 – The Martyrdom at the Altar 08:39 – The Storm Over Canterbury 09:00 – The Hair Shirt & Hidden Austerity 10:00 – Miracles Begin 10:39 – Canonization of St. Thomas Becket 11:49 – Victory for the Liberties of the Church 12:16 – Henry II’s Repentance 13:06 – Henry II’s Public Penance 13:26 – Henry VIII Destroys the Shrine 14:33 – Suppression of Becket’s Cult 15:32 – The Collect of St. Thomas Becket For more please visit http://keepthefaith.org/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.us for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.us/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 Please "Like" our videos so that Youtube shares it to others by clicking the "Like" thumbs-up under the video = 👍🏻 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Sensus Fidelium Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 #StThomasBecket #ThomasBecket #CatholicHistory #CatholicSaints #Martyrdom #ChurchHistory #CanterburyCathedral #HenryII #MedievalHistory #FaithOverPower #CatholicFaith #SaintsOfEngland #ChurchAndState

Topics

• Suffering & Trials