Final answer:
The church-state conflict before Thomas Becket focused on the appointment of bishops, signifying the struggle for authority between the monarchy and the church. This clash was a significant aspect of medieval politics and influenced later events, including the investiture controversies in Europe. Option c) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific church-state conflict that comes before Thomas Becket relates to the appointment of bishops. This conflict revolved around who had the authority to appoint bishops—the crown or the church. This contention was a central issue during the Middle Ages, particularly concerning the relationship between the monarchy and the church, which often led to disputes over power and influence.
The Investiture Controversy is one such example, where the authority of the monarch clashed with that of the Pope. This struggle impacted much of medieval Europe and was a precursor to later conflicts such as those involving Thomas Becket in England. Becket himself, as the Archbishop of Canterbury, was at the center of a fierce dispute between the church and King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church, which eventually led to Becket's martyrdom.
In the context of English history, the issue of the appointment of bishops highlighted the broader contest for power between church and state, a theme that continued to evolve and manifest in various ways throughout the centuries, including the Triennial Act and the Test Act.