FFL Quotes: History of England, David Hume, 1762, Vol.1, Ch.8, Section 3a, The Becket controversy, Part 1

       http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10574/pg10574-images.html

NOTE: The chapters in the text of Hume's History of England are not subdivided into Sections, as my posts will be. The Sections will broadly (not always exactly) correspond with the subdivisions of the LibraVox recording of the book to which I am listening.

Abuses of the civil power against a single individual

I'm convinced this was an important conflict, especially when it come to question of civil vs ecclesiastical power. So I organized the text with Sub-Headings to help me understand the proceedings.  

"[...] At last, Richard de Hastings, Grand Prior of the Templars in England, threw himself on his knees before him; and with many tears entreated him, if he paid any regard, either to his own safety or that of the church, not to provoke, by a fruitless opposition, the indignation of a great monarch, who was resolutely bent on his purpose, and who was determined to take full revenge on every one that should dare to oppose him. Becket, finding himself deserted by all the world, even by his own brethren, was at last obliged to comply; and he promised, LEGALLY, WITH GOOD FAITH, AND WITHOUT FRAUD OR RESERVE, to observe the [constitutions of Clarendon]; and he took an oath to that purpose."

David Hume, History of England, Vol.1, Ch.8, Section 3, 1762 (italics added)

"[...] but Alexander, who, though he had owed the most important obligations to the king, plainly saw that these laws [contained in the Constitutions of Clarendon] were calculated to establish the independency of England on the papacy, and of the royal power on the clergy, condemned them in the strongest terms; abrogated, annulled, and rejected them. There were only six articles, the least important, which, for the sake of peace, he was willing to ratify."

David Hume, History of England, Vol.1, Ch.8, Section 3, 1762 (italics added)

BECKETT FLIPS BACK

"Becket, when he observed that he might hope for support in an opposition [against the Constitutions of Clarendon following their dismissal by Pope Alexander III], expressed the deepest sorrow for his compliance; and endeavoured to engage all the other bishops in a confederacy to adhere to their common rights, and to the ecclesiastical privileges, in which he represented the interest and honour of God to be so deeply concerned. He redoubled his austerities, in order to punish himself for his criminal assent to the constitutions of Clarendon: he proportioned his discipline to the enormity of his supposed offence; and he refused to exercise any part of his archiepiscopal function, till he should receive absolution from the pope; which was readily granted him. Henry, informed of his present dispositions, resolved to take vengeance for this refractory behaviour; and he attempted to crush him, [...]

David Hume, History of England, Vol.1, Ch.8, Section 3, 1762 (italics & formatting added)

"[...] The king had raised Becket from a low station to the highest offices, had honoured him with his countenance and friendship, had trusted to his assistance in forwarding his favourite project against the clergy; and when he found him become of a sudden his most rigid opponent, while every one beside complied with his will, rage at the disappointment, and indignation against such signal ingratitude, transported him beyond all bounds of moderation; and there seems to have entered more of passion than of justice, or even of policy, in this violent prosecution."

David Hume, History of England, Vol.1, Ch.8, Section 3, 1762 (italics added)