Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
King John was responsible for the quarrel with Innocent III.
Source A: A monk from Canterbury outlines events in 1205.
The king secretly sent messengers to Rome. When the monks of Canterbury heard this they sent some of their number with the sub-prior to Rome also. Soon the royal messengers wrote to the king saying that the monks of Canterbury had elected their sub-prior and sent him to Rome. At this the king was astounded and went to Canterbury asking the monks if they had elected their sub-prior or anyone else. They maintained that they had made no election and to prove what they said was true, they elected the bishop of Norwich. Since the king approved of their election, the monks sent messengers to Rome for the pallium. But the monks who had already gone to Rome opposed the election saying that the bishop of Norwich had not been elected by the monks but had been imposed by the king using force and so his election was void.
Gervase of Canterbury, The Deeds of the Kings, written before 1210
Source B: A monk of St Alban’s gives an account of John’s reaction to the papal appointment of Stephen Langton as archbishop.
After banishing the monks from Canterbury, King John sent messengers with letters to the pope. In these he expressly accused the pope of having disgracefully annulled the election of the bishop of Norwich and of having consecrated as archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton, a man altogether unknown to him and who had been for a long time familiar with the king’s declared enemies in the French kingdom. Even more, this undermined the liberties of his crown, as his consent was not asked. He added that he would stand up for the rights of the crown and not be deterred.
Roger of Wendover, History of England, written before 1236
Source C: The pope writes to King John.
You have written to us waywardly with threats and reproaches and have shown us less consideration than you should. Your devotion may be very necessary to us, but our support is no less advantageous to you. You are endeavouring to lessen our dignity in a way that no other prince has presumed to do. You set forth some frivolous excuses by which you assert that you cannot give your assent to the election of our beloved son, Stephen, because, forsooth, he has been intimate with your enemies and is not personally known to you.
Letter from Innocent III, 1207
Source D: King John sends letters to be read out in the shire courts.
You should know that Master Simon Langton came to us and asked that we would receive his brother, Master Stephen Langton, as archbishop of Canterbury. But when we spoke to him about preserving our dignity in this matter, he said that he could do nothing for us on that score unless we put ourselves completely at his mercy. We tell you this so that you will know the wrong and injury that is done to us.
Letter from King John, 1207
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Answer
