becket

Becket is a name used for several topics, most notably the 12th century figure Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who became a saint and martyr.

Thomas Becket (c. 1119–1170) served as Archbishop from 1162 until his murder in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. He was a central figure in the struggle between the English crown and the church over judicial and ecclesiastical authority, clashing with King Henry II. Becket was assassinated on December 29, 1170, by knights believed to act on the king’s wishes. He was canonized as a saint in 1173, and his shrine in Canterbury became a major pilgrimage site, influencing medieval religious and political life.

Becket also refers to a 1959 French tragedy by Jean Anouilh about the life of Thomas Becket. An English-language version of the play, titled Becket, has been widely produced and is among the best-known dramatizations of the saint.

The name Becket later appeared in cinema as the title of a 1964 film adaptation of Anouilh’s play. Directed by Peter Glenville, the Becket film stars Richard Burton as Becket and Peter O'Toole as Henry II, and it presents the on-screen conflict between the two figures.

Geographically, Becket, Massachusetts is a town in Berkshire County, United States. The name Becket is also used as a surname and may appear in other places or in different spellings.