Pope Innocent's Controversy With King John
Chapter 9
CONFRONTATION AT RUNNYMEDE
Pope Innocent’s controversy with King John was concerning the appointment of an archbishop at Canterbury. An interdict had lasted in England for seven years and seemed to have no effect. When an interdict had earlier been imposed on France, King Philip submitted in just over one year. The excommunication of such a pagan as John seemed to the Pope to be of minor effectiveness as well. Innocent was looking for a way to end this long conflict in a way that would most likely be resolved to the advantage of the Church. The Church needed the income it had lost by John’s actions, the devout people of England needed the continued services of the clergy and Innocent needed the prestige of winning another battle of Church over State. When John became the Pope’s vassal, all those goals seemed to be accomplished, and a key player in the Pope’s plan would be Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton. Before John’s submission, the pope declared England to be “the lawful spoil of whoever could wrest them from his (John’s) unhallowed hands”. Philip decided to be that “whoever” and he raised an army and 1,700 ships. Philip also had the blessing of …show more content…
Peter and Paul His apostles, and by our own authority, acting on the general advice of our brethren, we utterly reject and condemn this settlement and under threat of excommunication we order that the king should not dare to observe it and that the barons and their associates should not require it to be observed: The charter, with all undertakings and guarantees whether confirming it or resulting from it, we declare it to be null and void of all validity forever. Wherefore, let no man deem it lawful to infringe this document of our annulment and prohibition or presume to oppose it. If anyone presume to do so, let him know that he will incur the anger of Almighty God and of Ss. Peter and Paul His
CONFRONTATION AT RUNNYMEDE
Pope Innocent’s controversy with King John was concerning the appointment of an archbishop at Canterbury. An interdict had lasted in England for seven years and seemed to have no effect. When an interdict had earlier been imposed on France, King Philip submitted in just over one year. The excommunication of such a pagan as John seemed to the Pope to be of minor effectiveness as well. Innocent was looking for a way to end this long conflict in a way that would most likely be resolved to the advantage of the Church. The Church needed the income it had lost by John’s actions, the devout people of England needed the continued services of the clergy and Innocent needed the prestige of winning another battle of Church over State. When John became the Pope’s vassal, all those goals seemed to be accomplished, and a key player in the Pope’s plan would be Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton. Before John’s submission, the pope declared England to be “the lawful spoil of whoever could wrest them from his (John’s) unhallowed hands”. Philip decided to be that “whoever” and he raised an army and 1,700 ships. Philip also had the blessing of …show more content…
Peter and Paul His apostles, and by our own authority, acting on the general advice of our brethren, we utterly reject and condemn this settlement and under threat of excommunication we order that the king should not dare to observe it and that the barons and their associates should not require it to be observed: The charter, with all undertakings and guarantees whether confirming it or resulting from it, we declare it to be null and void of all validity forever. Wherefore, let no man deem it lawful to infringe this document of our annulment and prohibition or presume to oppose it. If anyone presume to do so, let him know that he will incur the anger of Almighty God and of Ss. Peter and Paul His