# Thomas Becket murdered after conflict with Henry II (1170)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1170-thomas-becket-murdered-after-conflict-with-henry-ii
Location: Canterbury / Anglo-French world

The crisis reverberated through the Plantagenet lands and French ecclesiastical politics. Within the broader West Francia & Early Capetians period, After the Treaty of Verdun, West Francia developed under Carolingian, Robertian and Capetian rulers. Viking settlement, feudal lordship, church reform and expanding royal authority reshaped the kingdom. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Louis VII (King of the Franks). Thomas Becket murdered after conflict with Henry II mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Thomas Becket murdered after conflict with Henry II mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions.

Ruler at the time: [Louis VII](https://history-france.com/rulers/louis-vii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Thomas Becket murdered after conflict with Henry II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Thomas+Becket+murdered+after+conflict+with+Henry+II&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Thomas Becket murdered after conflict with Henry II](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Thomas+Becket+murdered+after+conflict+with+Henry+II)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)