Reginald the Knave in the Nave
I don’t know whether or not anyone really knows the identities of the other “knights” that thought they were doing King Henry a favor by killing Thomas Becket. I know from an eyewitness report that Reginald was one of them. Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury had once been a close friend of the king, but his consecration as bishop put the “unruly” priest at odds with His Majesty. Becket sided with the Church and against the king in matters of jurisdiction His Royal Highness took seriously. So, one day, Henry said aloud something like, “Will no one rid me of this unruly priest?” Reginald and the other knights took him literally, went to Canterbury Cathedral, and killed Becket.
It is possible that Henry was just frustrated, just upset enough to mouth words without specifically meaning to foreshadow or request a murder. It is possible he actually meant “kill”? Many people say words like kill without implying an actual murder. It’s figurative language, usually spoken in times of frustration or anger, but, of course, it can also be prelude to an actual murder.
Henry’s knights were obviously not tuned to nuance if Henry was just throwing out the words of his frustration. They road to the cathedral, met Becket inside, began an argument, and then killed him. Right there in the cathedral, armed knights against a robed, unarmed priest. These guys were obviously not too concerned about the nature of the place or the status of the victim. Reginald, whom Becket calls by name according to the eyewitness report of a monk named Edward Grim, tells Becket he owes fealty to his king only, not to Becket or the Church. Sure, why not. Think of Reginald’s name. It derives from rex, the Latin for “king,” and is related to regina (“queen”) and regal (“kinglike”). The guy was born a king’s knave.
The tale of Becket has been told and retold in essay, biography, book, and film. I’m positive almost every moral lesson, dramatic theme, or philosophical point on the subject has been made since the twelfth century. Oh! Okay. Possibly one more: If you don’t want to chance being a knave like those knaves in the nave of Canterbury, learn to interpret nuance.
The words of frustration might not have literal meanings, but their misinterpretation can have dire consequences.
I don’t know whether or not anyone really knows the identities of the other “knights” that thought they were doing King Henry a favor by killing Thomas Becket. I know from an eyewitness report that Reginald was one of them. Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury had once been a close friend of the king, but his consecration as bishop put the “unruly” priest at odds with His Majesty. Becket sided with the Church and against the king in matters of jurisdiction His Royal Highness took seriously. So, one day, Henry said aloud something like, “Will no one rid me of this unruly priest?” Reginald and the other knights took him literally, went to Canterbury Cathedral, and killed Becket.
It is possible that Henry was just frustrated, just upset enough to mouth words without specifically meaning to foreshadow or request a murder. It is possible he actually meant “kill”? Many people say words like kill without implying an actual murder. It’s figurative language, usually spoken in times of frustration or anger, but, of course, it can also be prelude to an actual murder.
Henry’s knights were obviously not tuned to nuance if Henry was just throwing out the words of his frustration. They road to the cathedral, met Becket inside, began an argument, and then killed him. Right there in the cathedral, armed knights against a robed, unarmed priest. These guys were obviously not too concerned about the nature of the place or the status of the victim. Reginald, whom Becket calls by name according to the eyewitness report of a monk named Edward Grim, tells Becket he owes fealty to his king only, not to Becket or the Church. Sure, why not. Think of Reginald’s name. It derives from rex, the Latin for “king,” and is related to regina (“queen”) and regal (“kinglike”). The guy was born a king’s knave.
The tale of Becket has been told and retold in essay, biography, book, and film. I’m positive almost every moral lesson, dramatic theme, or philosophical point on the subject has been made since the twelfth century. Oh! Okay. Possibly one more: If you don’t want to chance being a knave like those knaves in the nave of Canterbury, learn to interpret nuance.
The words of frustration might not have literal meanings, but their misinterpretation can have dire consequences.
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