In today’s polarised political climate, rhetoric plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and opinion. Recent remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris, who likened Donald Trump’s rhetoric to that of Adolf Hitler, exemplify how words can become weapons in the political arena.
I was shocked. And I am not alone. The first thing that entered my mind was " Here we go again.... it is history about to repeat itself."
To understand the implications of modern political rhetoric, we can look back to historical events such as the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170. King Henry II's frustrated outburst...
“Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
Though not intended as a direct command, it led to Becket’s assassination. This serves as a reminder that careless or angry words can have disastrous consequences.
Were they unintended? Only the person who uttered the words truly knows.
So let us have a look at what happened and what the consequences were.
Oh, and before you think this is all about history, think again. Just plod through and you will see how history and modern day politics intersect .
Again.
The murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is one of the most famous events in medieval English history. It took place on December 29, 1170, in Canterbury Cathedral, and became a dramatic symbol of the conflict between the Church and the monarchy.
Worth watching.
Thomas Becket had been a close friend and trusted chancellor of King Henry II. When the position of Archbishop of Canterbury became vacant, Henry appointed Becket, believing he would ensure that the Church would remain subservient to royal authority. However, once appointed, Becket underwent a spiritual transformation, becoming an ardent defender of the Church’s autonomy. This set him on a collision course with the king.
The core of the conflict lay in the respective powers of the Church and the monarchy. Henry II sought to reduce the influence of the Church, particularly over legal matters involving clergy. He introduced the Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164, which attempted to limit ecclesiastical privileges and bring the clergy under royal justice. Becket opposed these reforms, viewing them as an infringement on the Church’s rights.
Becket's defiance angered Henry, and he fled to France in 1164 to seek protection from the Pope and avoid the king's wrath. The conflict simmered for years until, in 1170, a fragile reconciliation was reached, and Becket returned to England. However, tensions remained high.
The final straw came when Becket excommunicated several of Henry’s supporters, further escalating the tension. Frustrated, Henry is believed to have uttered the famous words, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Whether or not Henry intended for Becket to be killed is debated, but four knights—Reginald FitzUrse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton—took his words literally.
On December 29, 1170, the knights confronted Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral. Despite their demands for him to go to Winchester to account for his actions, Becket refused. In a brutal attack near the altar, they struck Becket down with their swords, killing him in the sanctuary.
The murder shocked Christendom. Public outrage was widespread, and Henry II, fearing excommunication and in response to mounting pressure from the Church, performed penance. In 1174, Henry walked barefoot to Canterbury Cathedral, where he was scourged by monks as part of his public repentance.
Becket was quickly canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1173, and Canterbury became a major pilgrimage site. His tomb drew thousands of pilgrims, inspiring stories like Geoffrey Chaucer’s "The Canterbury Tales".
In short? Henry became a bad guy and Thomas became a hero.
In the case of Henry II, his frustrated outburst, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" may not have been a direct command to murder Thomas Becket, but it was interpreted as such by his followers. In a time of great political and religious tension, Henry's words were enough to prompt action from the knights who sought to please him or act on what they thought was his will. This shows how those in power, whether monarchs or politicians, must be cautious about how their words are interpreted.
Similarly, in today's political environment, particularly in the United States, we see how words can inspire individuals or groups to act on those words—sometimes leading to tragic consequences. History and recent events have shown that even when violence is not explicitly called for, the power of suggestion is very powerful.
The aftermath of Becket's murder was disastrous for Henry II. Though he may not have intended the killing, he was held responsible.
Just look at Abraham Lincoln's assassination. (1865) It occurred in the aftermath of the Civil War, a period of extreme division. In 1968, both Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated in the context of deeply divided public opinion during a turbulent election year.
So what do we conclude from this?
Assassination attempts on political figures, especially during election periods, bring a sharp focus to the impact of political rhetoric. Former President Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024, one at a rally in Pennsylvania and another while golfing in Florida. These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of heated political climates.
The first attempt occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was injured by a sniper's bullet that grazed his ear. Just two months later, another attempt was made while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club.
Now, we have Vice President Harris and contender as President speaking with great passion that Trump is Hitler.
I have to ask: is she asking the question that was asked over a thousand years ago?
"Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"
I personally fear so.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
