Medieval
Thomas Becket
1119/1120 – 1170 · England
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.”
Matthew 10:28 (KJV)
In the Life of the Saints
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by his former friend King Henry II, Becket unexpectedly became the Crown's fiercest opponent the moment he took office, defending the independence of the church against royal interference. Exiled to France for years during the conflict, he returned to Canterbury only to be murdered in his own cathedral by four of the king's knights in 1170. His martyrdom made Canterbury one of medieval Europe's most visited pilgrimage sites.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Portrait: Unknown artist · Public domain