St. Paul's and extending from London Bridge to the church of St. Clement
Danes--the latter by the burning missiles used in the conflict between
Stephen and the empress in 1141. Winchester never recovered her position,
and London was left without a rival. Fitz-Stephen, who wrote an account of
the city as it stood in the reign of Henry II, describes it as holding its
head higher than all others; its fame was wider known; its wealth and
merchandise extended further than any other; it was the capital of the
kingdom (_regni Anglorum sedes_).(135)

(M94)

It was through the mediation of an intimate friend and fellow citizen of
Fitz-Stephen that Archbishop Theobald had invited Henry of Anjou over from
France in 1153. Thomas of London, better known as Thomas Becket, although
of foreign descent, was born in the heart of the city, having first seen
the light in the house of Gilbert, his father, some time Portreeve of
London, situate in Cheapside on a site now occupied by the hall and chapel
of the Mercers' Chapel. Having been ordained a deacon of the Church, he
became in course of time clerk or chaplain to the archbishop. Vigorous and
active as he was, Thomas soon made his influence felt, and it was owing to
his suggestion (so it is said(136)) that the bishops had declined to be a
party to the coronation of Eustace during Stephen's lifetime.

On the accession of Henry, Thomas passed from the service of the
archbishop, then advanced in years, to the service of the young king. He
was raised to the dignity of chancellor, and became one of the king's most
trusted advisers. By their united efforts order was once again restored
throughout the kingdom. The great barons, who had established themselves
in castles erected without royal licence, were brought into subjection to
the crown and compelled to pull down their walls. Upon the death of the
archbishop, Thomas was appointed to the vacant See (1162). From that day
forward the friendship between king and archbishop began to wane. Henry
found that all his attempts to establish order in his kingdom were
thwarted by exemptions claimed by the archbishop on behalf of the clergy.
He found that allegiance to the Crown was divided with allegiance to the
Pope, and this state of things was likely to continue so long as the
archbishop lived. Becket's end is familiar to us all. His memory was long
cherished by the citizens of London, who made many a pilgrimage to the
scene of his martyrdom and lef