return to England, and preferments followed rapidly until he
became archdeacon of Canterbury, a dignity with the rank of
baron, next to that of bishop and abbot. He became
confidential adviser to the Primate; as his representative
twice visited Rome; and, recommended to the notice of King
Henry, was appointed chancellor, preceptor of the young
prince, depositary of the royal favor, and received several
valuable sinecures. He assumed great splendor and
magnificence in his retinue. He attended Henry on his
expedition to France, and his chivalric exploits in Normandy
at the head of seven hundred knights, twelve hundred
cavalry, and four thousand infantry, were more befitting the
career of a military adventurer than that of a churchman.

Archbishop Theobald died in 1161, and left at the royal
disposal the highest dignity in the English Church.

The favor enjoyed by the Chancellor Thomas Becket, and the situation
which he filled, pointed him out as the person the most likely to
succeed Theobald. By the courtiers he was already called the "Future
Archbishop"; and when the report was mentioned to him, he ambiguously
replied that he was acquainted with four poor priests far better
qualified for that dignity than himself. But Henry, whatever were his
intentions, is believed to have kept them locked up within his own
breast. During the vacancy the revenues of the see were paid into his
exchequer, nor was he anxious to deprive himself of so valuable an
income by a precipitate election. At the end of thirteen months (A.D.
1162) he sent for the Chancellor at Falaise, bade him prepare for a
voyage to England, and added that within a few days he would be
archbishop of Canterbury. Becket, looking with a smile of irony on his