The revolt against Henry's power began in Normandy (1173). While he
was engaged in quelling it, he received intelligence that Earl Bigod
of Norfolk[2] and the bishop of Durham, both of whom hated the King's
reforms, since they curtailed their authority, had risen against him.
[2] Hugh Bigod: The Bigods were among the most prominent and also the
most turbulent of the Norman barons.
Believing that this new trouble was a judgment from Heaven for
Becket's murder, Henry resolved to do penance at his tomb. Leaving
the Continent with two prisoners in his charge,--one his son Henry's
queen, the other his own,--he traveled with all speed to Canterbury.
There, kneeling abjectly before the grave of his former chancellor and
friend, the King submitted to be beaten with rods by the priests, in
expiation of his sin.