 Ranulf was excommunicated for theft of property of the Archbishopric by Becket, on Christmas Day, 1170, the traditional day of forgiveness.When Henry II, who was in Normandy, heard of this, he is said to have asked why none of his knights had rid him of “this troublesome priest”.A few days later, four knights arrived at Saltwood, Ranulf de Broc’s castle in Kent.