In the 12th C. after walking barefoot, this man stripped down & allowed himself to be flogged by dozens of monks
On the March 6, 2025, episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy category was “British Royalty.” The clue given 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?
King Henry II of England (1133–1189) was one of the most powerful monarchs of the 12th century, ruling from 1154 until his death. His reign was marked by legal reforms, territorial expansion, and conflicts with the church. The event referenced in this Jeopardy! clue took place in the aftermath of one of the most infamous episodes of his rule: the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170.
Becket, once a close friend of Henry, became his greatest adversary after being appointed Archbishop. The two clashed over the authority of the church versus the crown. In a fit of frustration, Henry is said to have uttered words that led four of his knights to travel to Canterbury Cathedral, where they assassinated Becket. The brutal killing shocked Europe and turned Becket into a martyr, placing immense pressure on Henry to atone for his role in the events.
The Penance at Canterbury
In 1174, four years after Becket’s murder, Henry II performed a public act of penance to demonstrate his remorse. As part of this penitential act, he walked barefoot through the streets of Canterbury to Becket’s tomb in the cathedral. There, he presented himself to the monks and submitted to a ritual flogging. Dozens of monks took turns whipping the king, an extraordinary gesture for a monarch who was otherwise known for his firm grip on power.
This act of self-humiliation was not just a religious display; it was also a political necessity. Henry faced growing opposition from his sons and rebellious nobles, and he needed to regain favor with both the church and the people. The public penance helped repair his relationship with the clergy and solidified Becket’s sainthood in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
The Aftermath and Becket’s Legacy
The penance did not erase Henry’s struggles, but it played a crucial role in shaping his legacy. In the years that followed, Becket was canonized as a saint, and his tomb became a major pilgrimage site. Canterbury Cathedral remained an important religious center, attracting thousands of visitors who sought healing and divine intervention.
Henry, despite his moment of submission, continued to rule with strength and faced further conflicts, particularly with his sons, who rebelled against him in later years. His relationship with the church remained complicated, but his decision to seek public forgiveness demonstrated the powerful influence that religion held over medieval European rulers.
Why This Moment Matters in British History
Henry II’s penance at Canterbury is one of the most remarkable examples of a king acknowledging the moral authority of the church. In an era when monarchs often ruled with near-absolute power, Henry’s decision to allow himself to be flogged by monks was an acknowledgment of the church’s influence and the consequences of his actions.
The event also highlights the fragile balance between church and state during the Middle Ages. While Henry sought to strengthen royal authority over the clergy, the fallout from Becket’s murder showed that even a king could not completely ignore the power of religious sentiment. The story remains a significant chapter in British history, reflecting the complex relationship between rulers and the church that continued for centuries.