November – Becket excommunicates three bishops.[3]
1 December – Becket controversy: Henry II sends word that his conflict with Becket is at an end, and his lands will be restored. Becket returns to England, landing at
Sandwich, Kent.
25 December – Becket preaches in Canterbury Cathedral.
17 April – Henry leaves Ireland, having received the support of the Church for his claim.[1]
21 May – in
Avranches Cathedral, Henry II performs a ceremony of penance for the death of Becket, in return for a papal agreement to clear him of the murder.[5]
21 February –
canonisation of Thomas Becket; his tomb at Canterbury becomes a shrine and popular
pilgrimage destination.[1]
March –
Henry the Young King withdraws to the French court, marking the beginning of the
Revolt of 1173–1174, a dispute between Henry II,
Eleanor of Aquitaine and three of their sons over the territories they control. Eleanor is placed under de facto house arrest.
William I of Scotland invades the North of England in support of the rebellion.[7]