By September, King John was no longer prepared to tolerate the restraints placed upon his kingship by Magna Carta, and on 13 September 1215 he sent this letter seeking a declaration of support from Pope Innocent III (C 66/14).
Transcript
To his reverend lord and most holy father Innocent, by the grace of God, High Priest, John by the same grace, King of England, etc. [sends] greeting[s] and the reverence due to so great a lord and father. Whereas, before we took care to subject ourselves and our land to your dominion, the earls and barons of England had been faithful to us, since then, and for that very reason, as they publicly say, they have risen in violence against us. We, having you after God, as our special lord and patron, believe that the defence of us and the whole kingdom, which is yours, is committed to your holiness, and we resign that care and anxiety to your lordship, humbly beseeching that you apply to our affairs, which are your own, such effectual counsel and aid as shall seem to you most expedient. For this reason, we send to your feet our faithful men of these presents, the venerable fathers W. Archbishop of Bordeaux; H. Archbishop of Dublin; Master R. de Mariscis, our chancellor; the Abbot of Beau-lieux; Master P., precentor of the church of York; H. the archdeacon and Master R. de Arenis, canons of York; and the nobles, John Mareschal and G. Lutterel, our faithful men, for you to hear with favour. For we commit to your holiness the authority which we have over all things belonging to us and our realm; and we will hold ratified and firm whatever, with the advice of our messengers, you shall decide to ordain. Witness myself at Dover, on the 13th day of September.
Original translation by Maroula Perisanidi.
Simplified transcript
John by the same grace, King of England, sends greetings and the reverence due to his reverend lord and most holy father, Innocent, by the grace of God, High Priest.
In the time since we have subjected ourselves and our land to your dominion, the earls and barons of England have risen violently against us. We, having you after God, as our special lord and patron, believe that the defence of us and the whole kingdom is the responsibility of your holiness, and we resign that care and anxiety to your lordship. We humbly beseech that you apply to our affairs, which are also your own, counsel and aid as seems to you most appropriate.
For this reason, we send to you our faithful men and venerable fathers: W. Archbishop of Bordeaux; H. Archbishop of Dublin; Master R. de Mariscis, our chancellor; the Abbot of Beau-lieux; Master P., precentor of the church of York; H. the archdeacon and Master R. de Arenis, canons of York; and the nobles, John Mareschal and G. Lutterel, our faithful men, for you to hear with favour.
We commit to your holiness the authority which we have over all things belonging to us and our realm; and we will agree to entirely uphold whatever you shall decide to ordain upon the advice of our messengers. Witness myself at Dover, on the 13th day of September.