Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the
resolution of the quarrel with Innocent III was to the advantage of John.
Source A: John issues a Charter, placing England and Ireland under the overlordship of Rome.
We wish, by this Charter signed with our seal, to make known to you that we, having in many things offended God and our mother, the holy Church, and being in great need of divine mercy for our sins, do, of our own free will, assign and grant to God, and his holy apostles Peter and Paul and to our lord pope Innocent III and his successors, the whole kingdom of England and the kingdom of Ireland with all their rights. We declare this in the presence of this learned man Pandulph, subdeacon and representative of our lord the pope. We have made our homage and sworn allegiance to our lord the pope and his successors and the Church of Rome.
Charter, May 1213.
Source B: A monk gives an account of events in 1213.
In June Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, and the other bishops returned from the continent where they had been exiled, together with all the people who had been in exile with them. All their possessions were restored to each one in full, together with the king’s friendship. After a little while the king was publicly and solemnly absolved by the archbishop of Canterbury. In September the king gave the legate, representing the pope, a charter, sealed with gold, and one thousand marks, that is the annual payment he had promised, which was a sign of the king’s subjection. The king received the papal legate and listened to his advice.
The Barnwell Chronicle, written in the first part of the thirteenth century.
Source C: A monk, a frequent critic of the king, writes about the impact of John’s submission to the pope.
The papal nuncio, Pandulph, crossed the sea into France. He earnestly advised the French king, who had made preparations to invade England, to desist from his purpose and to return home in peace. He argued that the French king could not attack England without offending the pope, since John was ready to give satisfaction to God as well as to obey the commands of our lord the pope. The French king was much enraged when he heard this, and said that he had already spent sixty thousand pounds and that he had made his plans at the command of our lord the pope.
Roger of Wendover, History of England, written before 1236.
Source D: Innocent III gives his views on Magna Carta.
The agreement is not only shameful and base but also illegal and unjust. We refuse to pass over such shameless presumption, for thereby the Apostolic See would be dishonoured, the king’s right injured and the whole plan for the Crusade seriously endangered. We utterly reject and condemn the settlement, and under threat of excommunication we order that the king should not dare to observe it. We declare the charter to be null and void of all validity for ever.
Letter, September 1215.
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Answer
