His hopes of getting his own way within the church were soon dashed when Becket rejected his chancellorship and began campaigning for the rights and independence of the church. This began a struggle between the King and Becket that lasted for the next decade, during which Becket was exiled to France for 6 years and excommunicated many of the Kings friends and allies. In 1171 Becket returned to Canterbury and infuriated the King with a provoking sermon. The King, in irritation, uttered the fatal line: "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest". In reponse to the King's utterence four knights: de Moreville, de Tracy, Le Bret and Fitzurse set out to confront Becket. A heated argument ensured in which the Archbishop defiantly defended the rights of the church above the King. The knights were so roused in anger that they tried to drag Becket out of the Cathedral, as vespers had started and it was a sacrilege to harm him in the church. With Becket struggling so much they eventually abandoned their attempts, murdering him within the Cathedral. They slay him and his brains spilt out on the floor.