John Langton

John Langton (died 1337) was a chancellor of England and Bishop of Chichester.

This article is about the Chancellor of England. For other persons named John Langton, see John Langton (disambiguation).

John Langton
Bishop of Chichester
Province	Canterbury
Appointed	5 April 1305
Term ended	19 July 1337
Predecessor	Gilbert of St Leonard
Successor	Robert Stratford
Other posts	Lord Chancellor
Orders
Consecration	19 September 1305
Personal details
Died	19 July 1337
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Previous post	Bishop-elect of Ely Master of the Rolls
Master of the Rolls
In office 1286–1292
Monarch	Edward I of England
Preceded by	new office
Succeeded by	Adam Osgodby
Lord Chancellor
In office 1292–1302
Monarch	Edward I of England
Preceded by	Robert Burnell
Succeeded by	William Greenfield
Lord Chancellor
In office 1307–1310
Monarch	Edward II of England
Preceded by	Ralph Baldock
Succeeded by	Walter Reynolds

Life

Langton was a clerk in the royal chancery, serving as the first Master of the Rolls from May 1286, and became chancellor in 1292.[1] He obtained several ecclesiastical appointments (including as Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Horncastle), but owing to the resistance of Pope Boniface VIII he failed to secure the bishopric of Ely in 1298, although he was supported by King Edward I of England and visited Rome to attain his end.[2] Resigning his office as chancellor in 1302,[1] he was chosen Bishop of Chichester on 5 April 1305, consecrated bishop on 19 September 1305,[3] and again became chancellor shortly after the accession of Edward II in 1307.[4] Langton was one of the ordainers elected in 1310, and it was probably his connection with this body[5] that led to his losing the office of chancellor about this time.[1] He continued, however, to take part in public affairs, mediating between the king and Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster in 1318, and attempting to do so between Edward and his rebellious barons in 1321.[5] He died on 19 July 1337.[3] Langton built the chapterhouse at Chichester, and was a benefactor of the University of Oxford.

Citations

1. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 85
2. Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 2: Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces): Ely: Bishops Archived 14 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
3. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 239
4. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 86
5. Buck "Langton, John" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

References

• Buck, M. C. (2004). "Langton, John (d. 1337)" ((subscription or UK public library membership required)). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/16040. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
• Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology (Third revised ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-56350-X.
• Greenway, Diana E. (1971). Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 2: Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces): Ely: Bishops. Institute of Historical Research. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2007.

Legal offices
New office	Master of the Rolls 1286–1295	Succeeded by Adam Osgodby
Political offices
Preceded by Robert Burnell	Lord Chancellor 1292–1302	Succeeded by William Greenfield
Preceded by Ralph Baldock	Lord Chancellor 1307–1310	Succeeded by Walter Reynolds as Keeper of the Great Seal
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by William of Louth as consecrated bishop	— DISPUTED — Bishop-elect of Ely 1298–1299 Disputed by John Salmon	Succeeded by Ralph Walpole as consecrated bishop
Preceded by Gilbert of St Leonard	Bishop of Chichester 1305–1337	Succeeded by Robert Stratford