At this period (1162), as had already been the case on a previous occasion, there were two Popes. One of these, Victor IV., occupied the papal chair at Rome, under the protection of the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany; and the other, Alexander III., was living in exile in France. The latter was generally regarded in that country and in England as the legitimate pontiff, and Henry and Louis alike acknowledged his authority, vying with each other in offers of protection and in reverence. It is related by the Norman chronicler that when the two kings met Pope Alexander at the town of Courcy-sur-Loire, they dismounted from their horses, and each taking hold of one of the bridle reins of his mule, walked at his side on foot, and so conducted him to the castle. The reconciliation thus effected was followed by a brief period of tranquillity, both in England and Normandy, and when the flame of war again broke out, its origin was to be referred to no foreign enemy, but to a man whom Henry had raised to the height of power and dignity. CHAPTER XVIII. THE REIGN OF HENRY II. (_continued_).--CAREER OF THOMAS BECKET. Early Life of Becket--Rapid Advance in the King's Service--Magnificence of his Embassy to Paris--The King, the Chancellor, and the Beggar--Depravity of the Clergy--Becket's Reforming Zeal--Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury--Extraordinary Change in his Habits--At Frequent Issue with the King--The Council of Clarendon--Becket Defies the King--Popularity with the People--His Flight from Northampton--Arrival at St. Omer--Obtains the Support of Louis and the Pope--Henry's Edict of Banishment--Defeat of the English by the Welsh--Insurrection in Brittany--Becket Excommunicates his Opponents--Henry's Anger--The Pope's Action against Becket--Interview between Becket and the King--The Two Reconciled--Return of Becket to England--His Christmas Sermon--The King's Fury--The Vow of the Conspirators--Scene in Becket's House--Murder of the Archbishop--Henry's Grief--Review of Becket's Career. Thomas Becket, who was born in 1118, was the son of Gilbert Becket, a native of Rouen, a merchant, and at one time port-reeve of London. The youth was ambitious, and he quickly found means to turn his talents to account. He obtained the favour of one of the Norman barons who lived near London, and he joined in all the amusements of his patron. In this position his abilities acquired him a great reputation among the courtiers, to whom his ready wit recommended him, no less than the obsequious demeanour which he sedulously cultivated.