Stephen Langton

Stephen Langton was born in England around 1150, probably in Lincolnshire. He taught theology at Paris for more than twenty years and wrote commentaries on almost every book of the Bible. The system of chapter divisions still used in Bibles today is usually credited to him. In 1206 Pope Innocent III, who had known him at Paris, made him a cardinal, and in 1207 consecrated him archbishop of Canterbury. King John refused to accept him, and the dispute led the pope to place England under an interdict from 1208 and to excommunicate the king. John finally submitted in 1213, and Langton came to England. As the barons rebelled against John's heavy-handed rule, Langton acted as a mediator, and he is named first among the king's advisers in the preamble of Magna Carta, sealed at Runnymede in June 1215. Historians believe he influenced its language, especially its first promise that the English Church shall be free. Later in 1215 the pope suspended him for refusing to punish the rebels. Restored, he presided over the church in England until his death on 9 July 1228.

Faith: Archbishop of Canterbury and cardinal. Source: Dictionary of National Biography (1885–1900) (via Wikisource)

See also: Henry II of England · Edward Coke · Gratian