Early Life through Chancellorship Thomas á Becket was born circa 1118 (some sources claim 1120) in London to a wealthy merchant, Gilbert Becket and Roesa or Matilda of Caen, of Norman roots. ... While on continental Europe with the reign of Charlemagne and the evident division between Emperor and Pope, the Papacy had been reduced to a mere vassal of the Emperor. ... After Charlemagne divided his empire, the Gregorian revolution swept through out Europe and the Papacy asserted itself as a principal political power after centuries of subordination and lay control. ... He controlled m...

• Word Count: 2829
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate