He was born c.1150, the son of a lord of a manor in Lincolnshire. He studied at the University of Paris, staying there for 25 years and becoming known as a great lecturer and theologian. Pope Innocent III summoned him to Rome and made him cardinal-priest (below a cardinal-bishop but higher than a cardinal-deacon) of St. Chrysogonus in Rome.
When Archbishop of Canterbury Hubert Walter died in 1205, there was disagreement over his successor. Two different groups of canons of the cathedral chapter elected different men, but Innocent refused to consecrate either and ordered a new election. Sixteen canons had traveled to Rome to plead their case, and they were given the chance to make a decision on behalf of the whole chapter.
The choice they fell on was Stephen Langton, and Innocent consecrated him on 17 June 1207. Possibly he was suggested and supported by Innocent, but he was considered the foremost English theologian. Innocent and King John clashed over this, since John had wanted John de Grey, Bishop of Norwich, one of the earlier men chosen.
King John banished the monks of Canterbury, seized all their revenue, and refused to allow Langton to enter Canterbury. The pope replied by putting all of England under Interdict in March 1208, meaning no one could administer the sacraments.
Langton sailed to Dover to try to meet with John in October 1209, but John would not travel the whole way to meet, and Langton went back to the continent after waiting a week. He stayed at Pontigny Abbey in Burgundy, where Thomas Becket had also stayed on his exile from England under King John's father, Henry II. Edmund of Abingdon also stayed there in his way to Rome.
In November 1209, John was excommunicated for his denial of Langton. This was serious. We'll continue tomorrow.
