Life of Thomas à Becket (ePub)

Henry Hart Milman (1791-1868) was a renowned English historian, poet, and ecclesiastic. Born in London, Milman was educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he demonstrated a prowess in poetry and drama that presaged his literary contributions (Chisholm, 1911). As a clergyman ordained in the Church of England, Milman served as Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, balancing his ecclesiastical duties with his scholarly pursuits. His literary style artfully wove narrative and analysis, often focusing on religious and historical subjects. Milman's profound work 'Life of Thomas à Becket' delineates the dramatic and tumultuous life of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a seminal figure in the conflict between church and state during the 12th century. It exemplifies his penchant for meticulous research coupled with compelling storytelling, shedding light on the religious, political, and social nuances of medieval England. Beyond hagiography, Milman's writings on historical figures are known for their critical engagement with the sources and their contribution to the broader historiographical discourse of his time. His works resonate with scholarly fidelity and literary finesse, reflecting the depth and breadth of his expertise as a historian, a theologian, and an artist of the written word (Milman, 1860).