OCR Specification focus:
‘the significance of archbishops, including Lanfranc, Anselm, Theobald, Becket and Langton..’
The archbishops of Canterbury between 1066 and 1216 were central figures in the governance of Church and realm. They shaped relations with the Crown, the Papacy, and the wider ecclesiastical community, while embodying shifting ideas of authority and resistance.
The Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury was the senior ecclesiastical figure in England, enjoying primacy over York and serving as spiritual head of the English Church. His position was not only religious but deeply political, as he advised monarchs, mediated disputes, and influenced the development of both ecclesiastical and secular governance.
Primacy: The claim of the Archbishop of Canterbury to be the senior bishop in England, outranking the Archbishop of York and presiding over the English Church.
The officeholder thus wielded significant authority but was often caught between loyalty to the Crown and obedience to the Pope.
Lanfranc (1070–1089)
Reorganisation of the Church
Lanfranc, appointed by William the Conqueror, restructured the English Church after the Norman Conquest.
He replaced many Anglo-Saxon bishops with Norman clerics, embedding Norman influence in ecclesiastical life.
He established clearer hierarchies of dioceses and revitalised monastic life.
Relationship with the Crown
Lanfranc was deeply loyal to William I, acting as his chief counsellor and justifying the Norman settlement. He defended royal authority over ecclesiastical appointments, laying early foundations for the royal supremacy in church affairs.
Anselm (1093–1109)
Conflict with the Crown
Anselm’s archiepiscopate was marked by tension with William II and later Henry I.
His insistence on the independence of the Church led to disputes over investiture — the right to appoint bishops and abbots.
Investiture Controversy: A major European dispute between Popes and monarchs over who held the authority to invest bishops with their office and symbols of power.
Exile and Compromise
Anselm spent periods in exile but achieved a negotiated settlement with Henry I, where kings retained some influence but conceded the principle of ecclesiastical independence. His role cemented Canterbury as a focal point of reform aligned with broader Gregorian reforms.
Theobald of Bec (1138–1161)
Mediator during the Civil War
Theobald played a crucial role during the anarchy of Stephen’s reign.
He balanced loyalty to the king with maintaining Church authority, often acting as a stabilising force.
Promotion of Reform and Law
Theobald supported the development of canon law in England.
He fostered young clerics, notably Thomas Becket, showing his influence in shaping the next generation of Church leadership.
Thomas Becket (1162–1170)
Early Career and Royal Service
Becket began as a close ally of Henry II, serving as Chancellor.
His appointment as archbishop seemed to guarantee royal control of the Church.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Once in office, Becket shifted allegiance to defend ecclesiastical liberty against royal encroachment.
His opposition to the Constitutions of Clarendon, which attempted to subject clerics to royal courts, led to bitter conflict.
Becket’s murder in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 made him a martyr and symbol of resistance to royal interference.
Miniature of the Martyrdom of Thomas Becket from the Carrow Psalter (mid-13th century). Three knights strike Becket at the altar as attendants look on, a scene central to debates over ecclesiastical liberty. The image reflects how contemporaries memorialised Becket’s defiance of royal control. Source
Constitutions of Clarendon: A set of laws issued by Henry II in 1164 aimed at limiting ecclesiastical privilege and asserting royal authority over the Church.
Becket’s cult and canonisation gave Canterbury international prominence, and his shrine became a major pilgrimage site.
Stephen Langton (1207–1228)
Struggles with King John
Langton was appointed by Pope Innocent III, leading to disputes with King John, who resisted papal influence.
His exile highlighted tensions between the monarchy and papacy over control of the English Church.
Magna Carta and Political Role
Returning in 1213, Langton played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting Magna Carta in 1215.
The 1215 Magna Carta, issued under King John, set out restraints on royal power and affirmed the principle that the king is subject to law—positions Langton helped articulate. This British Library exemplar is written in Latin on parchment. It directly supports the syllabus focus on the significance of archbishops in shaping governance. Source
He insisted that the king was subject to law and defended the rights of both the Church and the realm.
Magna Carta: A charter of liberties agreed by King John in 1215 under baronial pressure, establishing the principle that the king must govern according to law.
Langton’s leadership demonstrated the enduring political significance of the archbishopric.
Patterns of Significance
Key Themes
Lanfranc: loyalty and restructuring under Norman rule.
Anselm: spiritual independence and European reform ideals.
Theobald: mediation and encouragement of legal reform.
Becket: martyrdom and the clash of Church vs. Crown.
Langton: constitutional thought and defence of liberties.
Broader Impact
The archbishops were not mere churchmen but central figures in English governance.
They mediated between Crown and Papacy, shaped the development of law and justice, and acted as spiritual leaders with political clout.
Their careers reflect the wider tensions between monarchy and Church across medieval Europe.
These archbishops illustrate the significance of Canterbury as both a religious and political institution, embodying the complex and often fraught relationship between secular and ecclesiastical authority in England.
FAQ
Lanfranc acted as both churchman and political administrator. He supported William I in quelling rebellion, providing legitimacy through Church endorsement of Norman rule.
He also:
Helped enforce loyalty among bishops and abbots.
Encouraged use of ecclesiastical courts that reinforced royal authority.
Promoted monastic reform to consolidate Norman influence.
Anselm’s quarrels over investiture mirrored the broader Investiture Controversy between Pope Gregory VII and the Holy Roman Emperor.
By siding with papal reformers, Anselm introduced European reformist ideas into England, stressing the principle of clerical independence from lay power. His clashes demonstrated that Canterbury was directly linked to international Church politics.
Theobald encouraged the study of canon law at the newly emerging schools, notably sending clerics abroad for training.
This fostered:
A generation of legally minded clergy who influenced both ecclesiastical and secular courts.
Greater professionalism within Church administration.
Foundations for English legal development in the 12th century.
Becket’s murder shocked Christendom and damaged Henry II’s reputation internationally.
Pope Alexander III canonised Becket in 1173, elevating him as a symbol of ecclesiastical liberty.
European rulers saw Henry as responsible for sacrilege, forcing him into public penance in 1174.
Canterbury became a pilgrimage centre, ensuring Becket’s legacy extended beyond England.
Langton promoted biblical principles of just kingship, particularly through sermons on Old Testament kings.
He argued that rulers were bound by divine law, reinforcing ideas of accountability. His influence extended into the political culture of the barons, who embraced the notion that the king was subject to higher moral and legal standards.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
Name two archbishops of Canterbury between 1066 and 1216 who were significant in their relationship with the English Crown.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for each correct name given (maximum 2).
Accept: Lanfranc, Anselm, Theobald, Becket, Langton.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain how Thomas Becket and Stephen Langton challenged royal authority in different ways.
Mark Scheme:
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Simple or generalised statements, e.g. “They opposed kings” or “They caused disputes with the monarchy.”
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Some explanation of their actions, e.g. “Becket resisted Henry II’s Constitutions of Clarendon” or “Langton was involved in Magna Carta.” Answers may be descriptive but show some understanding of differences.
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Developed explanation comparing both figures. For example:
Becket opposed Henry II’s attempts to control clerical courts and was murdered, becoming a symbol of Church resistance.
Langton supported the barons and played a central role in forcing King John to agree to Magna Carta, asserting the principle that the king was subject to law.
Clear explanation of how their methods of resistance differed (martyrdom through direct confrontation versus constitutional reform).
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