Not St Thomas à Becket Day, like I was told at school.
His name was Becket - the à Becket version was a post-Reformation creation, possibly modelled on Thomas à Kempis, and is no longer used.
You might also recall from school that he was mates with Henry II who made him Archbishop of Canterbury. However, he was a man of principle and, despite his love for the king, he refused to blindly follow orders, especially in the case of making the church answerable to the crown.
This angered Henry who famously ranted, 'Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?!' This was overheard by four knights who set off immediately for Canterbury and killed Becket.
After a time, a cult built around Becket and he was sainted. Various miracles are ascribed to him including making freshwater springs appear and banishing nightingales from Kent as they kept him awake.
But perhaps my favourite story is that, upon his death, the men of Kent were cursed to always have tails.
Any Kentish blokes out there want to give us a swish?
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