London, April 2 (TIWN) Ancient air pollution trapped in ice has revealed new details about life and death in 12th Century Britain, according to a study published on Tuesday.

Air pollution from lead in this time period was as bad as during the industrial revolution centuries later.

The pollution also sheds light on a notorious murder of the medieval era; the killing of Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket.

Becket''s beheading in a brutal attack at the Canterbury cathedral on December 29, 1170 made headlines all over Europe.

King Henry II and Becket were once very close, the latter had been the former''s chancellor before he was made Archbishop, reports the BBC.

Henry believed the appointment would allow the crown to gain control over the rich, powerful and relatively independent church. Becket, though, had other plans which led to the King''s growing irritation and ultimately the Archbishop''s murder.