Abstract
This paper explains that, by naming his Chancellor and friend, Thomas Becket, to be Archbishop of Canterbury, King Henry II created the devastating conflict between these men, which affected not only the English monarchy, but also the country of England itself. The author points out that King Henry II's reign can be broken down into three specific events: (1) his endeavors to reconstruct the England of his grandfather, which started his quarrel with Becket; (2) his efforts to develop the legal machinery of his grandfather and create a new foundation for English government, which was soon thwarted by Becket; and (3) his vain attempts to resolve the problems of governing a difficult empire and controlling an unruly family by placing his sons in a position as sub-rulers in the empire.

From the Paper
"King Henry II (1154-1189) was obviously one of the most remarkable and tragic figures in English history. A great amount of information is known about him, for he lived and reigned during an age when it was common to observe about the monarchy through oral and written records, especially when a king such as Henry II was popular with contemporary society. However, a good deal of his subjects hated him and his numerous enemies found him too intelligent and overwhelming; those that were close to him, such as Thomas Becket, feared his occasional outbursts of great anger and were often exasperated by his unpredictable reactions to certain situations within his realm and his family."

Tags:family, religion, cannonized, government, monarchy

Abstract
This paper discusses how the ?great quarrel? between King Henry II of England and Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, represents the most famous and well-documented church-state dispute in medieval England and how reasons for such eminence lie in its bloody and tragic end rather than in the quarrel itself. It contextualises the relationship between the medieval church and state by examining the nature of monarchial power and the religious dynamic of 12th century England. It examines the reasons for the dispute, the contemporary reaction to it and the repercussions.

From the Paper
"Before Beckets accession to Archbishop he enjoyed a great friendship with Henry. Becket's appointment thus came as a result of this acquaintance, rather than his ecclesiastical background. Indeed Beckets only clerical position - the Archdeaconry of Canterbury was of secular rather than ecclesiastical character. Furthermore, the reputation of Archdeacon's in the twelfth century was far from sound - "they were given to extortion and injustice" and Becket was reprimanded on more than one occasion . Conscious of the kings favouritism, combined with the thoroughness he attached to his jobs, it is possible that Becket set out to prove his ecclesiastical worth, having already proven his secular pedigree."

Tags:church, state, archbishop

Abstract
The paper examines Thomas Chippendale, an Englishman famous for developing a form of furniture that revolutionized society at the time and still has great import today. The paper relates that from his early beginnings as a wood worker through to his lucrative stores in London, Chippendale's designs were embraced in both England and overseas. The paper discusses how the Chippendale style involved a meshing and updating of styles of the time, including Rococo style and Chinese influences. The present paper examines Thomas Chippendale's personal background, his works and the social, political and economic events which aided his work.

From the Paper
"The present paper examines Thomas Chippendale, an Englishman famous for developing a form of furniture that revolutionized society at the time and still has great import today. From his early beginnings as a wood worker through to his lucrative stores in London, Chippendale's designs were embraced in both England and overseas. The Chippendale style involved a meshing and updating of styles of the time, including Rococo style and Chinese influences. The present paper examines Thomas Chippendale's personal background, his works and the social, political and economic..."

Tags:thomas, chippendale, art

Abstract
This paper describes the influence of photography on the portraits, landscapes, and pastorals created by American Realist artist Thomas Eakins. The paper describes the specific influences of photography on Eakins and photography as a source of his inspiration.

From the Paper
"According to art critic and biographer Sylvan Schendler has suggested that with respect to the work of American Realist artist Thomas Eakins photography was an important source of .."

Tags:Thomas Eakins, photography, realism, art

Abstract
Thomas More is a figure greatly revered both by historians and the religious world. This paper examines these things in light of his contributions to Christianity and the development of the Catholic Church during its most volatile period. It affirms More's convictions as "the king's good servant, but God's first".

From the Paper
"History will remember Sir Thomas More as many things. He was a major renaissance figure and author and a successful businessman, diplomat and royal secretary. He was a close friend of King Henry VIII and a valued and trusted advisor. He was devoutly religious and fiercely loyal to the Catholic Church, at a time when the church was under great scrutiny. He was also a family man, with four children of his own and several, which he adopted. He was a man in transition, part modern, part medieval. In fact, much of his life was characterized by these conflicts. Most importantly, however, Thomas More was a Christian, martyred in 1535 and canonized Saint Thomas More by Pope Pius in 1935, more than 40 years later. He has been placed in the same boat as the great passive revolutionaries, like Jesus and Gandhi. At the unveiling of a statue dedicated to More, placed on the banks of the Thames in London, in 1969, the Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury said: "He believed that the Christian Church is a divine society wider than states and nations, and that duty to king yields place to duty to God." This belief in the church and God characterized More's life and motivated all his actions. However the time in which he lived and its humanistic tradition also influenced More to some degree and his career and works demonstrate how that influenced changed over time, as he deserts humanism to fully defend his church latter in life."

Tags:christianity, henry, reformation, religon, spirituality, thomas, viii

Abstract
Sir Thomas Malory lived an interesting life as an extortionist, rapist, etc. He wrote "Le Morte d'Arthur" while spending his time in prison from which he escaped. This paper recognizes the correlation between his writing and his lifestyle.

From the Paper
"It is no accident that Sir Thomas Malory wrote about the life he lived. As a noble knight and landowner, he was more than fascinated with his own lifestyle. Overwhelmed by the events that occurred in his own era, Malory was not shy of trouble, and/or bravery. The story of King Arthur, Le Morte d'Arthur, was inspired from the very moments that unified his life. He grew up in a time period of castles, knights, feudalism and chivalry, which in turn makes for a brilliant tale of valiance and romance, all of which are included in the story. It is from this vast sea of expeditions and events in which Malory encountered and explored, that he conceived his story Le Morte d'Arthur."

Tags:arthur, king, knights, malory, morte, round, table, thomas

From the Paper
"There are a number of interesting issues to consider when thinking about martyrs, and the stories about them. In the contemporary popular vernacular, martyrs are not viewed positively. Calling someone a "martyr" is insulting them. Martyrs are equated with victims, or with people who choose to be long-suffering and then complain, or whine, about it. At the same time, specific historical martyrs are venerated or admired. People like Martin Luther King, Jr. are honored. What then is society's real view of martyrs and martyrdom?

As a corollary to that, what is the real role of martyrs in the development and maintenance of culture? Religion is often ... "

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Abstract
This paper examines how Henry II was capable ruler who introduced a number of legal and social reforms enabling England to turn into a prosperous nation. The author looks at Henry's early years, his ancestry, his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his tumultuous friendship with Thomas Becket. The paper also explores his legal reforms, and Henry's role as a military leader.

From the Paper
"Henry II was born in 1133 and died in 1189. He was the son of Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou and the grandson of Henry I. Henry succeeded Stephen and married in 1152 to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Henry ruled an empire that stretched from the River Tweed to the Pyrenees. In spite of frequent hostilities with the French king, his own family and rebellious barons (culminating in the great revolt of 1173-74) and his quarrel with Thomas Beckett, Henry maintained control over his positions until shortly before his death. His judicial and administrative reforms, which greatly increased royal control and influence at the expense of the barons, were of great constitutional importance. One of the most remarkable things about Henry II of England is that he perfected the Norman government, which involved the tax and law system, and he was responsible for creating a capable and strong bureaucracy."

Tags:eleanor, anjou, becket, aquitaine, england, tax, nation, thomas, matilda, jury

From the Paper
"When one puts any amount of thought into Shakespearean tragedy, the concept of catharsis, the link
between the tragic hero and the audience is most obvious. In T.S. Eliot's play, Murder in the Cathedral,
the audience has a much larger role than in traditional tragedy."

Tags:archbishop, becket, eliot, elliot, thomas

Abstract
This paper describes "The Door of Saints" at the Cathedral of St John in Manhattan, New York. The author describes her impressions upon seeing the door at the church.

From the Paper
"The cathedral at 110th Street in Manhattan was named The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. I did not know that it was an Episcopalian Church until I saw the flag symbolizing the faith. But the title that was put on the cathedral and what faith it taught was insignificant because of it's grandeur and majesty. The first and foremost part of the cathedral that was visited was the North Door. It did represent a Romanesque cathedral but the statues of all the saints and martyrs seemed to tell a legend and a history lesson at the same time. To me it was also like a quick religion quiz in my head looking at the clues of the saints helping to identify whom was who. "

Tags:arc, becket, cathedral, catherdal, catherine, church, divine, joan, john, lawrence, manhattan, romanesque, saints, st, thomas