New Books Network Michael Staunton, "Thomas Becket and His World" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
Dec 10, 2025
Michael Staunton, a Professor of Medieval History at University College Dublin and an expert on Thomas Becket, delves into the life of this iconic figure. He reveals Becket’s tumultuous journey from a London merchant’s son to archbishop, highlighting the complex relationship between Becket and Henry II. The discussion explores Becket’s defiance of royal authority, his dramatic exile, and the circumstances surrounding his martyrdom. Staunton also examines the legacy and veneration that followed Becket’s death, demonstrating why he remains a compelling character in medieval history.
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Becket As A Window On The 12th Century
- Thomas Becket's life illuminates broad 12th-century changes in law, literacy, and church-state relations.
- Michael Staunton argues his story provides a lens onto a fast-moving, transformative medieval moment.
Partisanship Shapes Medieval Lives
- Medieval biographies were openly partisan and aimed to persuade rather than to be detached.
- Staunton shows the partisan sources still yield nuance because of their volume and mutual checks.
Personality Meets Institutional Change
- The Becket–Henry clash mixed personality with structural shifts in monarchy and papal power.
- Staunton emphasizes both personal fallout and institutional tensions in their conflict.
