Born: sometime around the year 1150, Langton by Wragby in Lincolnshire Died: 9 July 1228 (aged about 78) Title: Archbishop of Canterbury Spouse: unmarried
Did you know that Stephen Langton was a great scholar, who set down guidelines for dividing the Bible into books and chapters? Langton’s organisation of the Bible remains largely unchanged today!
Very little is known about Stephen’s early life, other than that he was born to a landowner of little importance in rural Lincolnshire. By the 1180s Stephen was a great scholar. He taught Theology at the University of Paris, where he also wrote many commentaries (books) about his studies of the Bible.
In 1206, the Pope decided to appoint Stephen Langton as the Archbishop of Canterbury, but King John refused to accept his appointment. In fact, King John was so displeased that he made threats against Stephen Langton’s father, who fled to Scotland where he died!
Stephen Langton played an important part in the drafting of Magna Carta. Although Stephen may not have written Magna Carta himself, he probably gave the barons the idea that a king could be forced to rule according to a set of established laws.
Test your understanding
Who wrote Magna Carta?
Wrong answer, I'm afraid... Why don't you talk to Stephen Langton again?
Excellent, you have obviously spoken at length to Stephen Langton. That is the right answer!
Will Magna Carta bring peace and freedom?
Is Magna Carta simply a collection of complaints and grumbles by the barons which will only have benefits for them?
Is Magna Carta more than this? Is it an important statement of key principles about how the king can rule and will have benefits for everyone in England?
Will this document be long lasting and bring about peace and freedom, or will King John will find a way out of it?
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Explorer / Explorator
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