Simon Langton (archbishop)
Encyclopedia
Simon Langton was an English medieval clergyman who served as Archdeacon of Canterbury from 1227 until his death in 1248. He had previously been Archbishop-elect of York
, but the election was quashed by Pope Innocent III
.
, who became Archbishop of Canterbury
in 1207. A third brother Walter was a layman, and when he died childless in 1234, Simon Langton was left with the lands and debts. He probably studied at Paris, where his brother was a noted instructor. Langton was employed by his brother in the negotiations with King John of England
in 1210, when Simon told John that Stephen would not lift the interdict
unless John put himself "wholly in his mercy." He had also appeared at the 1208 Winchester council to present the papal demands to allow Stephen into the see of Canterbury.
Langton was elected in June 1215 to fill the Archbishopric of York. King John had wanted the selection of Walter de Gray
, John's Chancellor
and Bishop of Worcester
. However, the canon
s of York felt that Gray was uneducated, and selected Langton instead. John objected, and wrote to Pope Innocent III complaining of the election of the brother of one of his staunchest enemies, and Innocent agreed. Langton had previously been forbidden to seek the office, and accordingly the election was quashed on 20 August 1215 by the pope. Langton then proceeded to join Prince Louis of France
's invasion of England in 1215, and acted as Louis' chancellor, against the express wishes of the pope. Because of this, in 1216 he was excommunicated, and deprived of all benefice
s, He was eventually absolved, and made an official of the papal court and allowed to hold a prebend in France.
On 14 May 1227 Langton was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury, and held that office until his death in 1248. In January 1235 he was employed by King Henry III of England
to negotiate a renewal of the truce with France. He also represented Archbishop Edmund Rich
at Rome in a number of disputes. Besides the renewal of the peace treaty, Langton represented King Henry in many diplomatic missions. He was a patron to the Franciscans in England and left a library to the University of Paris.
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
, but the election was quashed by Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
.
Life
Langton held the prebend of Strensall in the diocese of York by 20 November 1214. He was the brother of Stephen LangtonStephen Langton
Stephen Langton was Archbishop of Canterbury between 1207 and his death in 1228 and was a central figure in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215...
, who became Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
in 1207. A third brother Walter was a layman, and when he died childless in 1234, Simon Langton was left with the lands and debts. He probably studied at Paris, where his brother was a noted instructor. Langton was employed by his brother in the negotiations with King John of England
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
in 1210, when Simon told John that Stephen would not lift the interdict
Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholic canon law, an interdict is an ecclesiastical censure that excludes from certain rites of the Church individuals or groups, who nonetheless do not cease to be members of the Church.-Distinctions in canon law:...
unless John put himself "wholly in his mercy." He had also appeared at the 1208 Winchester council to present the papal demands to allow Stephen into the see of Canterbury.
Langton was elected in June 1215 to fill the Archbishopric of York. King John had wanted the selection of Walter de Gray
Walter de Gray
Walter de Gray was an English prelate and statesman who rose to be Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Gray was the son of John de Gray the Elder of Eaton in Norfolk and nephew of John de Gray , Bishop of Norwich. His sister, Hawise, married the Justiciar of England, Philip Basset...
, John's Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
and Bishop of Worcester
Bishop of Worcester
The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury...
. However, the canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
s of York felt that Gray was uneducated, and selected Langton instead. John objected, and wrote to Pope Innocent III complaining of the election of the brother of one of his staunchest enemies, and Innocent agreed. Langton had previously been forbidden to seek the office, and accordingly the election was quashed on 20 August 1215 by the pope. Langton then proceeded to join Prince Louis of France
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
's invasion of England in 1215, and acted as Louis' chancellor, against the express wishes of the pope. Because of this, in 1216 he was excommunicated, and deprived of all benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
s, He was eventually absolved, and made an official of the papal court and allowed to hold a prebend in France.
On 14 May 1227 Langton was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury, and held that office until his death in 1248. In January 1235 he was employed by King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
to negotiate a renewal of the truce with France. He also represented Archbishop Edmund Rich
Edmund Rich
Edmund Rich was a 13th century Archbishop of Canterbury in England...
at Rome in a number of disputes. Besides the renewal of the peace treaty, Langton represented King Henry in many diplomatic missions. He was a patron to the Franciscans in England and left a library to the University of Paris.