Stephen Langton

LANGTON, STEPHEN (d. 1228), English cardinal and archbishop of Canterbury, the first great Englishman in the primacy since Dunstan, was the son of Henry, lord of the manor of Langton-by-Wragby, Lincolnshire, but the date of his birth is unknown. He became early in his career a prebendary of York, and his brother Simon (d. 1248) was elected to that see in 1215. Stephen, however, migrated to Paris, and having graduated in that university became one of its most celebrated theologians. He spent some 25 years in Paris. This was probably the time when he composed his voluminous commentaries (many of which still exist in manuscript). He divided the Old Testament books of the Vulgate into chapters, and was probably responsible for the grouping of the historical apocryphal books. To this period belong his Questiones, dealing with subjects of current debate, such as the limits of obedience to episcopal authority and the papal power of dispensation. At Paris also he contracted the friendship with Lothar of Segni, the future Innocent III., which played so important a part in shaping his career. Upon becom ing pope, Innocent summoned Langton to Rome, and in 1206 designated him as cardinal-priest of S. Chrysogonus. Immediately afterwards Langton was drawn into the vortex of English politics.

Pope Innocent III. and King John.

Archbishop Hubert Walter had died in 1205. The suffragans of Canterbury claimed a share in choosing the new primate, although that right had been exclusively reserved to the monks of Canterbury by a papal privilege ; and John supported the bishops since they were pre pared to give their votes for his candidate, John de Gray, bishop of Norwich. A party of the younger monks, to evade the double pressure of the king and bishops, secretly elected their sub-prior Reginald and sent him to Rome for confirmation. The rest of the monks were induced to elect John de Gray, and he too was despatched to Rome. After hearing the case Innocent declared both elections void ; and with John's consent ordered that a new election should be made in his presence by the representatives of the monks. The latter, having confessed that they had given

John a secret pledge to elect none hut the bishop of Norwich, were released from the promise by Innocent ; and at his suggestion elected Stephen Langton, who was consecrated by the pope June 17, 1207.

On hearing the news the king banished the monks of Canter bury and lodged a protest with the pope, in which he threatened to prevent any English appeals from being brought to Rome. Innocent replied by laying England under an interdict (March 1208), and excommunicating the king (November 1209). As John still remained obstinate, the pope at length invited the French king Philip Augustus to enter England and depose him. It was this threat which forced John to sue for a reconciliation; and the first condition exacted was that he should acknowledge Langton as archbishop. During these years Langton had been residing at Pontigny, formerly the refuge of Becket. He had addressed to the English people a dignified protest against the king's conduct, but he had consistently adopted towards John as conciliatory an attitude as his duty to the church would allow, and had more than once entered upon negotiations for a peaceful compromise. Immediately after entering England (July 1213) he showed his desire for peace by absolving the king.

The Archbishop.

Langton was associated with the baronial opposition. He encouraged the barons to formulate their de mands, and is said to have suggested that they should take their stand upon the charter of Henry I. It is uncertain what further share he took in draf ting Magna Carta. At Runnymede he ap peared as a commissioner on the king's side, and his influence must therefore be sought in those clauses of the Charter which differ from the original petitions of the barons. Of these the most striking is that which confirms the "liberties" of the church; and this is chiefly remarkable for its moderation.