CHAPTER XVIII.

THE REIGN OF HENRY II.(_continued_).--CAREER OF THOMAS BECKET.

Early Life of Becket--Rapid Advance in the King's Service--Magnificence of his Embassy to Paris--The King, the Chancellor, and the Beggar--Depravity of the Clergy--Becket's Reforming Zeal--Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury--Extraordinary Change in his Habits--At Frequent Issue with the King--The Council of Clarendon--Becket Defies the King--Popularity with the People--His Flight from Northampton--Arrival at St. Omer--Obtains the Support of Louis and the Pope--Henry's Edict of Banishment--Defeat of the English by the Welsh--Insurrection in Brittany--Becket Excommunicates his Opponents--Henry's Anger--The Pope's Action against Becket--Interview between Becket and the King--The Two Reconciled--Return of Becket to England--His Christmas Sermon--The King's Fury--The Vow of the Conspirators--Scene in Becket's House--Murder of the Archbishop--Henry's Grief--Review of Becket's Career 187