Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which archbishop became Thomas Becket’s early patron?

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St. Thomas Becket Murder of St. Thomas Becket, illustration from an English psalter, c. 1200; in the British Library.

The archbishop who served as Thomas Becket’s early patron was Theobald, the archbishop of Canterbury from 1138 to 1161.1

Theobald played a significant role in Becket's career by appointing him as the archdeacon of Canterbury in 1154 and subsequently recommending him to King Henry II for the position of chancellor.12