What responsibilities did Thomas Becket carry out as Henry II’s chancellor?

As chancellor to King Henry II, Thomas Becket served as a trusted advisor and a highly efficient administrator who played a key role in the king's efforts to centralize power within the monarchy. His responsibilities were diverse and included both military and civil duties:1

• Military and Administrative Actions: Becket demonstrated his capabilities by razing castles, overseeing repairs to the Tower of London, and raising and leading troops during wartime.1
• Diplomacy: He acted as a royal envoy, notably leading a lavish mission to Paris in 1158.1
• Judicial and Secretarial Work: As chancellor, he handled significant judicial tasks and managed the secretarial work of the royal household, which included drawing up and sealing writs and managing royal correspondence.2
• Fiscal Policy: He was responsible for extracting scutage—a payment made in lieu of military service—at high rates from ecclesiastical fiefs.1

In these roles, Becket acted as the king's man, supporting Henry II’s attempts to exert control over the church, even when those actions conflicted with the interests of the clergy.1