Papal legates Gratian and Vivian attempted to mediate between Henry II and Becket in 1169, visiting England with papal authority. Henry II received them but refused to give Becket the kiss of peace. The legates operated under explicit threats from Henry II of military resistance to papal authority. English ports were guarded against any papal letters of interdict being smuggled in. The armed atmosphere around papal diplomacy showed how close England was to full church-state war.
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