In the 12th C. after walking barefoot, this man stripped down & allowed himself to be flogged by dozens of monks

The Final Jeopardy category for March 6, 2025, was “British Royalty”, and the clue presented to contestants was:

“In the 12th C. after walking barefoot, this man stripped down & allowed himself to be flogged by dozens of monks.”

Who is Henry II?

This moment in history is one of the most well-documented acts of royal penance, occurring in 1174 when King Henry II sought atonement for his role in the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

To understand why Henry II subjected himself to such extreme penance, it is essential to examine the events leading up to Becket’s death. Becket, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury, had been a close associate of Henry II before their relationship soured over disputes regarding the rights of the Church versus the authority of the monarchy. The conflict escalated to the point where, in a fit of frustration, Henry reportedly uttered words that his knights interpreted as an order to assassinate Becket.

On December 29, 1170, four knights brutally murdered Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral, an act that shocked Christendom. Henry, though denying he had explicitly ordered the killing, faced widespread outrage. Many held him responsible, and his rule was threatened by both domestic unrest and papal condemnation.

Henry II’s Act of Public Penance

In an attempt to appease the Church and restore his reputation, Henry II traveled to Canterbury in July 1174 to perform an extraordinary act of penance. He walked barefoot through the city to Becket’s tomb, dressed in a simple woolen garment. Once he arrived at the shrine, he knelt in submission and allowed himself to be whipped by a group of monks—each delivering several lashes. This ritual, though painful, was symbolic, demonstrating Henry’s remorse and his willingness to accept punishment for the perceived role he played in Becket’s death.

The Political and Religious Impact

Henry’s dramatic display of penitence helped ease tensions with the Church and reaffirm his legitimacy as king. Pope Alexander III had canonized Becket in 1173, making him a revered saint, and Henry’s actions showed his acceptance of the Church’s authority. His penance also served a political purpose, as it helped to quell rebellion among his own nobles, many of whom had used Becket’s death as an excuse to challenge his rule. By submitting himself to the Church, Henry was able to regain some of the moral authority he had lost.

The Legacy of Henry II’s Penance

The penance of Henry II remains one of the most striking examples of a medieval monarch publicly seeking absolution. It reinforced the power of the Church over even the most powerful rulers and solidified Becket’s legacy as a martyr. Over the centuries, Canterbury Cathedral became a major pilgrimage site, drawing visitors who sought to honor Becket’s sacrifice.

Henry II continued to rule for another fifteen years, but the Becket controversy remained a defining aspect of his reign. His act of penance not only helped secure his place on the throne but also demonstrated how deeply intertwined religious authority and royal power were in medieval England.