[Sidenote: The death of Theobald archbishop of Canturburie.] About this
time Theobald archbishop of Canturburie departed this life, after he had
gouerned that sée the space of 22. yeares, who at his going to Rome, and
receipt of the pall of pope Innocent the second, was also created legat
of the see apostolike, which office he exercised so diligentlie, and so
much to the auaile of the church, [Sidenote: The power legantine anexed
to Cant. _Wil. Paru._] that the dignitie of legatship remained euer
after to the archbishop of Canturburie by a speciall decrée, so that
they were intituled Legati nati, that is to say Legats borne (as mine
author dooth report.) This Theobald greatlie fauoured Thomas Becket.

This Becket was borne in London, his father hight Gilbert, but his
mother was a Syrian borne, and by religion a Saracen: [Sidenote: The
authoritie of Becket.] howbeit (no regard had of his parents) he grew so
highlie in fauour with the king, and might doo so much in England,
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.] that he seemed to reigne as if he had beene
associat with him also in the kingdome, and being Lord chancellor, the
king sent him ouer into England (Richard Lucie being in his companie)
with sundrie letters in his fauour, thereby to procure his election to
that sée: which was brought to passe according to the kings desire at
Westminster. [Sidenote: He is consecrated archb. _Wil. Paru._] Afterward
he was ordeined at Canturburie on saturdaie in Witsunwéeke, by Henrie
bishop of Winchester (although there be that write how Walter bishop of
Rochester did consecrate him) which consecration was in the 44. yeare of
his age, [Sidenote: 1162.] and in the fift yere after his first
aduancement to the office of Lord chancellor, [Sidenote: Quadrilogium ex
vita eiusdem Thomæ.] so that he was the eight and thirtith archbishop
which gouerned in that see.