THE P RTAL
August 2014
Page 7
The Popes and
the Ordinariate
Dr Harry Schnitker ponders the reign of King Henry
III and the role of Bishop Robert Grosseteste of
Lincoln and others in ralation to the Papacy
The reign
of King Henry III, 1216-1272, is one of England’s longest. The historical record has
tended to focus on his long minority following the death of King John, a minority characterised by
English acquiescence in the loss of many of the crown’s French domains, and by the continued growth of
noble power. This culminated in the granting of the Magna Carta, frequently, but incorrectly, cited as the
benchmark of English justice and freedom.
Unity in the face of French royal aggression achieved
notable victories, amongst others at Dover Castle
and Lincoln. Henry’s personal rule was marked by
increasing lack of control, and although he managed
to consolidate his grip on Gascony, the crown’s last
major French land, he came into increasing conflict
with his nobility.
Pandulf Masca, had presided over the humiliation
of King John by Rome. He was re-appointed when
Bicchieri left England, but although he managed to
keep his authority until 1221, the English nobles and
the Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton,
successfully petitioned Rome for his removal. No new
Papal legate was appointed: the direct control of the
Papacy over England had reached its zenith and was
This led to the uprising, first led by Roger Bigod and now declining.
then by Simon de Montfort. The uprising was crushed
at the Battle of Evesham, but the monarchy did not
The English Church’s influence over the monarchy
regain its former hold over English politics. The final had a longer arc to travel. By far the most powerful
years of Henry’s rule saw the rise of his soon-to-be figure amongst the clergy, and one of the most powerful
very successful son and heir, Edward I. He was named men in England, was Bishop Robert Grosseteste of
after the now rising star in the pantheon of English Lincoln. He was a teacher, writer, scholar and a man
saints, the royal favourite, St Edward the Confessor.
who originally at least was less than open to Papal
influence.
Henry was buried beside the new shrine to the royal
saint, and his piety cannot be in doubt. However, what
He continued to be the guardian of the probity of his
was the Church’s role in his long reign, and what was colleagues, however, and his occasional opposition to
the relationship between crown and Papacy? In the the Papacy was rooted in his critique of the compact
minority of Henry’s reign, the Papacy’s influence was between the crown and Rome, which Grosseteste rightly
enormous. Officially, England was a Papal fief, and the believed compromised the sanctity of the English
support of the now all-powerful Papacy within Europe Church. Simon de Montfort studied the Bishop’s tract
was vital to England’s survival as the French attempted differentiating between monarchy and tyranny, and
to conquer the country.
the two were in contact. Grosseteste always worked to
bring crown and barons closer, and his death robbed
The initial contribution was made by Cardinal Guala England of a peacemaker and the last potent voice of
Bicchieri, who was legate in England between 1216 and the Church during the reign of Henry III.
1218. For two years he supported the English regent,
William de Marshal, as the latter battled both overseas
It is no coincidence that the barons’ revolt began
invaders and English barons. Bicchieri rigorously within a few years of his death. As for Rome, they
stripped all clerics who opposed