A happenstance of timing during the rebellion played to his good fortune, as he performed public penance at Thomas Becket’s tomb on his return to England on 12 July 1174. With William’s capture occurring the following day, Henry was at once able to move past the ugliness associated with Becket’s murder and claim divine intervention on his, and England’s, behalf against the Scots, the French, and his own children.
A fortunate coincidence of timing during the rebellion worked in his favor, as he performed public penance at Thomas Becket’s tomb on his return to England on 12 July 1174. With William's capture occurring the following day, Henry was able to move past the unpleasantness associated with Becket's murder and claim divine intervention on his, and England's, behalf against the Scots, the French, and his own children.