Becket

Thomas, the most celebrated Roman Catholic prelate in the English annals; born in London in 1117 or 1118. He was the son _ of Gilbert, a London ‘merchant. His mother is said to have been a Saracen lady, to whose father Gilbert was prisoner in Jerusalem, having become a captive during the Crusades. The lady is said to have fallen in Jove with the prisoner, to have a isted him.in obtaining his liberty, and afterwards to have followed him to London, where she found him with the greatest difficulty. After studying at Oxford and Paris, Becket studied civil law at Bologna, Italy, and returning to England was made Archdeacon of Cana and Provost of Beverly. In 1158 Becket was appointed high chancellor, and at this time was a complete courtier, conforming in every respect to the humor of the king.