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Aftermath of the Constitutions of Clarendon Dispute

Type Event Region Europe Time 1164–1165

In January 1164, Henry II issued the Constitutions of Clarendon to bring church court cases under royal jurisdiction, provoking fierce conflict with …

Timeline

  1. 1164Clarendon Palace · WiltshireHenry II convened a great council and issued a sixteen-clause constitutional document restricting church courts' jurisdiction over secular cases and clerical crimes, requiring Becket and the bishops to swear compliance.
  2. 1164Northampton · NorthamptonshireThe king convened a great council at Northampton to try Becket, accusing him of misappropriating royal funds during his time as chancellor; Becket pleaded his clerical status, and the crisis escalated into an open rupture between Church and royal authority.
  3. 1164–1165Europe · EuropeAfter fleeing, Becket appealed to the pope; Henry II threatened to confiscate church property and pressured Becket's supporters; the two sides negotiated through papal legates, but the core jurisdictional dispute remained unresolved.

Sources