Translations:Thomas Becket/34/en

He was sent by Theobald to study civil and canon law at Bologna and Auxerre. He was eventually given delicate diplomatic missions, whereby you can see that he mastered the law, was able to keep silent and keep secrets. Diplomacy is the fine art of the seventh ray undergirded by the certain knowledge of the law. In 1152, at the papal court, he was largely responsible for the pope’s refusal to recognize King Stephen’s son as heir to the English throne, leaving Henry a viable successor.