14 Facts About Stephen Langton

Stephen Langton's father was Henry Langton, a landowner in Langton by Wragby, Lincolnshire.

Stephen Langton could have been born at Friday Street, Surrey, according to local legend.

Stephen Langton studied at the University of Paris and lectured there on theology until 1206, when Pope Innocent III, with whom he had formed a friendship in Paris, called him to Rome and made him cardinal-priest of San Crisogono, Rome.

Simon and Stephen Langton had another brother named Walter, a knight who died childless.

Stephen Langton's first act as Archbishop was to absolve the King, who swore an oath guaranteeing that unjust laws should be repealed and the liberties granted by Henry I should be observed.

Stephen Langton now became a leader in the struggle against King John.

Stephen Langton continued under Henry's reign to work for the political independence of England.

Stephen Langton went to France on Henry's behalf to call on Louis VIII of France for the restoration of Normandy, and later he supported Henry against rebellious barons.

Stephen Langton obtained a promise from the new pope, Honorius III, that during his lifetime no resident papal legate should be again sent to England, and won other concessions from the same pontiff favourable to the English Church and exalting the see of Canterbury.

In 1221 Stephen Langton approved the settlement of friars of the Order of Preachers in England.

Stephen Langton was buried in open ground beside the south transept of Canterbury Cathedral.

The "Stephen Langton Trail", devised to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, starts in Langton by Wragby and leads to Lincoln Cathedral, close to Lincoln Castle where there is an original copy of the charter.

Stephen Langton wrote a life of Richard I, and other historical works and poems are attributed to him.

However, Stephen Langton is believed to be the one who divided the Bible into the standard modern arrangement of chapters.