who was criticized for the murder. Henry was saddened and mourned when he learned of Becket's death. Henry claimed to be heartbroken and felt he needed forgiveness.(England during crusades)The knights pointed the ordering of the killing towards Henry as they tried to divert the attention. Henry's words were taken literally by the knights and they acted upon their own judgement. Although evidence also pointed towards Henry, he was absolved of the crime by Pope Alexander III in 1172. Not long after Henry took a pilgrimage to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. He did this to show his forgiveness to everyone and to clear his own inner conflicts.After Henry's struggles to clear his guilt over Becket's death he began to fall apart. Henry's sons began to fight over who would be heir to the throne. Henry favored John to heir the throne although John and Richard both rebelled to gain the respect they felt they deserved. In the later years, it proved to be Phillip II of France who proved to be the cunning opponent. Henry's last years were spent trying to hold on to what he had proudly built up. At Henrys death he was forced to name Richard the heir to the throne, and Richard was probably the least liked son.(Hay 175)The conflict over the separation of Church and State between Henry and Becket kept Henry's power over England in balance. Henry's ability to deal with the situation showed his intelligence and power. At Becket's death over the separation of Church and State proved that the monarch was the ultimate ruler over the land. King Henry II was burdened to his death over a guilt driven conscience. ...
