Thomas Becket by John of Salisbury: Portrait Through the Eyes of the Secretary

The present paper analyzes the dynamics of creating an image of Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury, by his secretary, John of Salisbury. The study includes all sixteen years their familiarity. The relationship between the appearance of new traits in the portrait of Thomas Becket and context - both political and stylistic are in the research focus. Most of the writings of John of Salisbury can be regarded as included in the process of creating an image of Thomas Becket since - directly or not - they include Thomas' characteristic made by John. During the entire analyzed period, for John of Salisbury the key point in this "portrait" of Thomas Becket was the image of a defender of ecclesiastical freedom. This image embodies the political ideal of John of Salisbury, a supporter of independence of the Church from the secular power in the period of active confrontation between the papacy and the crown. Nevertheless, the image of Thomas Becket also had additional features. Depending on the situation and the literary genre used by John Thomas Becket would be representing the second self of King, biblical character or saint.