This proclamation is fantastic. Thomas didn't just rise through the ranks - he was a friend of Henry II's, who made Thomas chancellor and later appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury.

Instead of Thomas helping Henry II put the king's interests first, Thomas defended the rights of the church against the king. He also became an ascetic.

This proclamation is fantastic. The only thing it leaves out is that he didn't just rise through the ranks - he was a friend of Henry II's, who made Thomas chancellor and later appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury.

Instead of Thomas helping Henry II put the king's interests first, Thomas defended the rights of the church against the king. He also became an ascetic.