The Murder Of Archbishop A Becket.

Thomas a . Becket Avas the son of a metropolitan merchant , and received in early life an excellent education . There is a tradition concerning the famous prelate ' s parents which deserves passing notice on account of its singularity . It is related that the elder a Becket , while but a boy , fought with the Crusaders upon the plains of Palestine . During one of the engagements he fell into the hands of the enemyaud was confined in a Moorish castle . Here immured

, , the young English soldier ' s handsome exterior ancl engaging manner AVOH the heart of a dark-eyed Mohammedan damsel , tho daughter of the chieftain whose prisoner he ivas . Allowing love to overcome duty , the girl assisted Becket to escape , exacting from him a promise that in after-time , when peace should enable him to sheath the sword , he would send across the seas for his protectress , and be united to her in the bonds of wedlock . Years rolled onbut

, Becket never redeemed his vow . At length the Moslem girl , wearied of waiting , set out for England to remind her erring knight of his engagement . Knowing nothing of the language of the Avestern land , undismayed bj" difficulties , she prosecuted her search for the soldier who had stolen her affection , and at length was rewarded by finding him living in London , and not uuwilling to wed her . Accordingly the two were espoused , the romantic maiden

beingfirst baptized into the Christian faith at St . Paul ' s Cathedral . Of this strange union the future Archbishop was the only offspring . Such is the legend , which lives in several antique ballads ; ancl eminent authorities like Mr . Froude , M . Thierry , and others , have contended for its historical truth . Looking at the curious story in the light of these latter years , however , we are compelled to admit that there is little likelihood of its having any foundation in fact . But to pass on . As a youth Thomas a Becket found occupation in tho office of the Sheriff of London . Here his superior address attracted the attention of Archbishop

Theobald , who sent him into Italy and France to study civil law , aud in duo course preferred him to a position iu the Church . The Primate ' s confidence in Becket ' s ability was so unbounded that ho entrusted to him an important mission to Rome . The young cleric acquitted himself so well in the performance of this trust that King Henry II . called for him on his return , ancl complimented him on the di plomatic tact he had displayed . The esteem and attachment of his sovereign thus securedBecket ' s advancement was rapid to

, an almost unparalleled degree . In 1158 he was exalted to the dignity of Chancellor of the Realm . Though Becket was then but forty years of age , his sovereign had no occasion to regret having appointed his favourite to fulfil this high position . The Chancellor proved himself to be not only a most accomplished courtier and plensant companion to the king , but also a far-si ghted and sagacious statesman . Well had Henry stayed his hand at this point . Not

so , however ; wishful to curb the growing temporal power of the Church , he bestowed npon Becket the archiepiscopal see of England , thinking that thereby he would secure the speedy subjugation of the recalcitrant supporters of the Pope to State authority . But Becket , whose strong hand had reduced the affairs of England to order , and Avho had , in fact , hitherto been the king ' s staunchest adherent , was altogether a different personage when appointed to

preside over ecclesiastical affairs . Finding Church ancl State in conflict , he energetically applied himself to further the interests of the former . In his OAVII life he effected an entire revolution . From the splendidly equipped ancl luxurious Chancellor , participating in all the gaieties and grandeur of the court , he was transformed into the austere and enthusiastic monk , whose sole object was the exaltation and extension of "HolChurch . " All his temporal

y offices were relinquished , so that he might throw his entire energies into the duties of the Primacy ; and , according to his clay and generation , there is no reason to doubt , that he made a most excellent archbishop . Becket ' s zeal in asserting the claims of the church to be paramount at last brought about a disruption between him and his sovereign . In the strangle