Innocent Protects His Realm (1216)
Context:
This was written in 1216 by Pope Innocent. In this letter, he is
addressing the issues between the people of England and King John at the
time. Social issues in England may have provoked the differences in
opinion.
Author:
Pope Innocent III lived from 1160 to 1216 and was Pope from 1198 until
his death. He is known as one of the most influential and Popes. He
also had great power over different princes throughout Europe.
Summarize:
A quarrel has arisen King John of England and the people of England
about reports that conspiracies and confederacies that have been made
against him. The Pope condemns the accused matters and explains for
them to stop planning against the King. Through his apostolic
authority, the Pope dissolves the conspiracies and confederacies that
have been made since the issues “between the crown and the church began”
(321). He also threatened excommunication. To make it up to the King,
the Pope requests the people to partake in the customary services and
be very careful in the future. The King was also ordered to treat the
men graciously in order to obtain forgiveness for his sins. This letter
was written to hopefully gain the peace of England.
Key
Question: “We ask, and by this apostolic writing, command you to bear
yourselves in such a way that England may obtain the peace she so
earnestly longs for, and that you may deserve our aid and support in
your times of trouble” (322).
Identifying Characteristics: Very typical of any Pope of the earlier ages, Innocent III flaunts his extreme power over the King and all people. As for any way to identify these specific document, Innocent is almost 'playing innocent' and protecting the man he excommunicated just a few years ago. Language like "utterly condemn," "wise counsel prevails," and "diligent measures" is typical of this document.
ReplyDeleteLauren: I thought the summary was well explained, especially since the document was a bit hard for me to understand, and a good length. I read the italicized part beforehand in the book and it mentioned that this "rebuke came after the barons had forced John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215." This only thing possibly missing from your 'Context' part is why the Pope had such a problem with the Magna Carta, or was it just because of the principle of the baron forcing the King to sign a document? Other than that I thought your quote was a good choice, and my only other possible choice would have been "By our apostolic authority we hereby dissolve all conspiracies and confederacies that have been made since the quarrel between the crown and the church began, and forbid them under excommunication."
Well done! Thank you for addressing the Magna Carta - this is generally considered to be the first document (in the West) protecting the rights of the individual. One could surmise that this may be viewed as a threat to the authority of the Church and the king. Finally, Innocent's assertions will eventually take various forms, including the Divine Right of Kings, which we'll examine in the Age of Absolutism.
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