Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Webquest: Henry II and Sir Thomas a Becket

Name: _____________________________________          Mrs. Thompson—British Literature


 

Historical Background for

Geoffrey Chaucer's

The Canterbury Tales


 

Directions: Using the websites listed below, answer the questions that follow. This historical event provided the inspiration for Chaucer's work. It is necessary that you research this to fully understand the satirical nature of the piece.


 

WEBSITES:     


 

PART I: Overview


 

  1. Henry II is remembered for his _________________ abilities, but he is also remembered for a terrible __________________.


 

  1. The political intention of Henry II was to alter the law so even _______________________________

________________ could be tried in the royal courts.


 

  1. Who imposed Henry's penance? Describe this penance.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


     

  2. After the fire in 1174, how was the Cathedral able to be rebuilt? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 

  1. Describe Henry's "old school" method for determining someone's guilt or innocence? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 

  1. Who were the members of "The Devil's Brood"?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

        


 

Part II: Thomas Becket


 

  1. When Henry II became King, he thought to appoint his ___________________________, Thomas Becket, as Archbishop.


     

  2. He hoped that Becket would support rights of the ____________________ over rights of the ____________.


 

  1. When Becket refused in a provoking sermon, the King uttered the fatal line: "Who will _____________ me of this turbulent priest?"


     

  2. How many men completed the task? __________________________________________________________________________________


 

  1. When Becket's murdered body was found, he had been wearing the hair shirt of a ______________________________________. After his death, the people decided to make him a ____________________.


 

  1. Why did Henry II come to Canterbury Cathedral in 1174? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 

  1. When pilgrimages could resume, the Cathedral built many new __________________ to house pilgrims. One of these made for the setting of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.


 


 

Part III: Murder in the Cathedral


 

  1. Where was Thomas Becket when the murderers found him? __________________________________________________________________________________


     

  2. Which is true? _______
    1. Thomas Becket tried, unsuccessfully, to make a run for the door.
    2. Thomas Becket was resigned to his fate and did not try to run away.


 

  1. What was Becket's response when the murderers asked where he was?

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 


 

FINAL QUESTION: Why would people in medieval Europe make a pilgrimage to the Canterbury Cathedral?

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