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"Death of Becket. During the early years of the reign Thomas A. Becket, as the king's chancellor, had shown great zeal in his cause, but, being appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, he devoted himself wholly to the interests of the church and the exaltation of his office, and became the most dangerous of the king's foes. the main point at issue between them was the trial of members of the clergy who had been guilty of crime. The civil courts had lost all authority over clerical offenders, who were tried by the church tribunals. But the latter bodies could inflict only spiritual penalties, and serious offenses often went without adequate punishment. In the Constitutions of Clarendon (1164) it was decided that ecclasiastics accused of crime must first be summoned before the king's justices, who were to determine whether the offense came within the jurisdiction of a secular or a spiritual court. Becket reluctantly agreed to this, as well as to other provisions seriously affecting the authority of the church, but soon afterwards sent to the pope and asked forgiveness for what he had done. The king's party was powerful, and Becket took refuge in France, but a few years later, through the aid of the pope and French king, was reinstated. On his return to England he angered the king by excommunicating the bishops who had taken sides against him. Henry, in a moment of rage, spoke some hasty words, which were construed by his attendants as a wish for the murder of Becket. They broke into the cathedral where the latter had taken refuge and killed him at the altar (December, 1170). Becket was now regarded as a martyr and a patron saint, and the king was finally obliged to make his submission to the papal representative and declar on oath his innocence of all complicity in the murder. Thus the apparent outcome of the struggle was unfavorable to the king, but in reality Henry gained the main object for which he had been working. The church courts no longer enjoyed such complete authority over criminal members of the clergy."—Colby, 1899

Death of Becket

"Death of Becket. During the early years of the reign Thomas A. Becket, as the king's chancellor, had…

The Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170.

The Murder of Thomas Becket

The Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170.

Having taken holy orders in 1807, he took up the family living of Hodnet in Shropshire. In 1809 he married Amelia Shipley, daughter of the Dean of St Asaph. He was made prebendary of St Asaph in 1812, appointed Bampton lecturer for 1815, preacher at Lincoln's Inn in 1822, and Bishop of Calcutta in January 1823. Before sailing for India he received the degree of D.D. from the University of Oxford. In India, Bishop Heber laboured indefatigably - not only for the good of his own diocese, but for the spread of Christianity throughout the East. He toured the country, consecrating churches, founding schools and discharging other Christian duties. Heber was a pious man of profound learning, literary taste and great practical energy. His fame rests mainly on his hymns.

Bishop Reginald Heber

Having taken holy orders in 1807, he took up the family living of Hodnet in Shropshire. In 1809 he married…

Illustration of Ignatius of Antioch, also called Ignatius Theophorus, tied to a post by his neck and wearing his bishop's robe. There are bones and scraps on the ground. One lion is sitting on the ground and looking up at Ignatius. The other lion is pouncing from behind. The arches and crowds of the Colosseum are visible in the background.

Ignatius of Antioch is Martyred by Being Fed to Lions

Illustration of Ignatius of Antioch, also called Ignatius Theophorus, tied to a post by his neck and…

John Coleridge Patteson (April 1, 1827 – September 20, 1871) was an Anglican bishop and martyr. On 20 September 1871 he was murdered on the island of Nukapu in the Solomon Islands, where he had landed alone. Natives killed him as revenge against the abduction of some natives by white men months earlier. His death became a cause celebre in England and increased interest both in missionary work and in improvement of the working conditions in Melanesia. His life is celebrated in the Church of England as a saintly one.

Bishop Patteson's House, Norfolk Island

John Coleridge Patteson (April 1, 1827 – September 20, 1871) was an Anglican bishop and martyr. On…

Illustration of Peter being bound to an upside down cross. One man holds his upper body, while another man ties his ankles to the cross. A third man prepares to pierce Peter's feet with a large nail. Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he did not believe he was worthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

Peter Crucified on an Upside Down Cross

Illustration of Peter being bound to an upside down cross. One man holds his upper body, while another…

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:58-59 ASV <p>Illustration of Stephen being stoned to death. He is pictured wearing a deacon's vestments, lying on the ground and looking up to the sky. An angel, carrying a palm frond and the crown of martyrdom, is flying above him. Several men hold stones over their heads. A group of men in robes, including Saul of Tarsus, watch the stoning. A city can be seen in the background.

Stephen Stoned to Death as He Looks up to Heaven

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the…

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60 ASV <p>Illustration of Stephen kneeling in prayer, looking up to heaven. Several men raise stones in the air, preparing to stone Stephen. The Jewish councilors can be seen in the crowd. Women hide their eyes in the background (right). The town walls can be seen on the left.

The Stoning of Stephen, the First Martyr

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he…