Jonah Patel
The Constitutions of Clarendon, a set of legislative procedures passed by Henry II of England in 1164, were designed to restrict the Church's privileges and curb its power. The Church leaders, including Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, initially accepted the provisions, but Becket later repudiated his oath and went into exile. The ensuing conflict between Becket and Henry ended with Becket's murder in 1170, after which Henry revoked the two controversial clauses, but the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1164 |
| Issued by | King Henry II |
| Number of articles | 16 |
| Purpose | To restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of the Church courts |
| Nature of articles | Procedures for "clerk" [clergyman] charged and accused of any matter, jurisdiction of the king, powers of the church, etc. |
| Reaction of the Church | Resistance, especially to the clause concerning "criminous clerks"; Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, fled into exile |
| Outcome | Becket's murder in 1170; Henry revoked the two controversial clauses, but the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and were integrated into English common law |
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What You'll Learn
The conflict between Thomas Becket and King Henry II
The Constitutions of Clarendon, composed of 16 articles, were a set of legislative procedures passed by King Henry II of England in 1164. The primary goal of the Constitutions was to deal with the issue of "criminous clerks", or clergy accused of committing a serious secular crime but tried in ecclesiastical courts. The church leaders in England, including Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, reluctantly agreed to the provisions.
Initially, the bishops did not agree with the king, who then asked them if they would agree to observe the ancient customs of England. The bishops remained steadfastly behind Becket, refusing to agree if it conflicted with canon law. The king then took his heir, Henry the Young King, out of Becket's custody, effectively dismissing him from royal favour.
However, within a year, Becket repudiated his oath, which led to a bitter conflict between him and King Henry. Becket went into exile, and the king confiscated the benefices of the archbishop's clerks and ordered the exile of Becket's family and servants. While in exile, Becket continued to attempt to resolve the dispute through letter-writing campaigns to English noblemen and bishops.
The conflict culminated in Becket's murder in 1170, after which Henry revoked the two controversial clauses that went against canon law, but the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and were integrated into English common law.
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The Pope's condemnation of the agreement
The Constitutions of Clarendon were a set of legislative procedures issued by King Henry II of England in 1164. They were composed of 16 articles and aimed to restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of Church courts, thereby limiting papal authority in England. The Constitutions were designed to address the issue of "criminous clerks", or clergy accused of serious secular crimes but tried in ecclesiastical courts.
When the Constitutions were first presented, the bishops, led by Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, reluctantly agreed to observe them. However, Becket later repudiated his oath and went into exile for six years. He strongly opposed the Constitutions, particularly the clause concerning "criminous clerks". This led to a bitter conflict between Becket and Henry, which ultimately ended in Becket's murder in 1170.
The Pope's disapproval carried significant weight and influenced Becket's stance. It reinforced the notion that the Constitutions were not only opposed by Becket but also by the highest authority in the Catholic Church. This papal condemnation likely contributed to the intensity of the conflict between Becket and Henry, as it provided Becket with additional legitimacy and support for his opposition.
Following Becket's martyrdom, Henry was compelled to revoke the two controversial clauses that went against canon law. However, the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and were integrated into the common law of England. The conflict between Henry and Becket, exacerbated by the Pope's condemnation, had far-reaching consequences, ultimately shaping the relationship between the Church and state in England.
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The controversy of criminous clerks
The Constitutions of Clarendon, issued by King Henry II in 1164, were a set of legislative procedures designed to restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of the Church courts. The Constitutions were composed of 16 articles, one of which addressed the controversial issue of "criminous clerks".
The controversy surrounding "criminous clerks" centred around the question of how to handle clergy members accused of committing serious secular crimes. Under the Constitutions of Clarendon, it was proposed that these cases be handled by both secular and ecclesiastical courts. The accused would first be tried in a secular court, and if found to be a cleric, the case would then be transferred to an ecclesiastical court with a royal official present. If the cleric was convicted or confessed, the church was not to offer any further protection, and the individual would be sentenced in a secular court.
This proposal sparked a bitter conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket initially accepted the Constitutions but later repudiated them, citing opposition from Pope Alexander. This led to a quarrel between the two men, which ultimately resulted in Becket's murder in 1170.
Following Becket's martyrdom, Henry was forced to moderate his stance and revoke the two controversial clauses that went against canon law. By the 13th century, "criminous clerks" were tried in secular courts for their second offence.
The controversy over "criminous clerks" highlighted the tension between church and state during the Middle Ages, particularly regarding the appointment and discipline of clergymen. The Constitutions of Clarendon represented an attempt by Henry II to increase his power and control over the English church.
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The church's powers of excommunication and interdiction
The Constitutions of Clarendon were a set of legislative procedures issued by King Henry II of England in 1164. They were composed of 16 articles and were designed to restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of the Church courts, particularly in relation to the trial of "criminous clerks" or clergy accused of serious secular crimes.
Another article addressed the issue of "criminous clerks" directly, stating that if a clerk was convicted or confessed to a crime, the Church ought not to protect him further. This meant that convicted clerics could face punishment in secular courts in addition to any ecclesiastical penalties imposed by the Church. This was a significant shift in power away from the Church and towards the king and his courts.
The Constitutions of Clarendon provoked a famous quarrel between Henry II and his archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, who resisted the Constitutions, particularly the clauses related to the treatment of "criminous clerks". Becket eventually went into exile for six years due to his opposition to the Constitutions, and upon his return in 1170, he was murdered.
In the aftermath of Becket's murder, Henry II was forced to moderate his stance against the clergy and revoke the two most controversial clauses, which went against canon law. However, the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and continued to limit the Church's powers of excommunication and interdiction.
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The church's right to elect bishops and abbots
The Constitutions of Clarendon, issued by King Henry II in 1164, defined church-state relations in England. The 16 articles were an attempt to restrict the church's power and curb the authority of the ecclesiastical courts. One of the key points of contention was the issue of "criminous clerks", or clergy accused of committing secular crimes but tried in church courts. Henry II wanted to ensure that these clerics could be punished by the state and proposed a compromise: cases would be reviewed by the secular courts, and if the accused was a cleric, the case would be heard in the ecclesiastical court with a royal official present. If the cleric was found guilty, they would be sentenced in a secular court.
The Constitutions of Clarendon also addressed the election of bishops and abbots. The church argued that it had the exclusive right to elect bishops and abbots without royal interference. However, Henry II and his predecessors had nominated church leaders, and the bishops and abbots were given their land and positions by the king, owing him greater loyalty. This was a point of contention between Henry II and his Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, who initially accepted the Constitutions but later refused to sign them and went into exile.
The conflict between Henry II and Becket became so bitter that Becket was murdered in 1170. After Becket's death, Henry II felt compelled to revoke the two controversial clauses that went against canon law, but the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and were integrated into English common law.
The struggle between the church and state over the appointment and discipline of clergymen was not unique to Henry II's reign. The development of national kingdoms during the Middle Ages often led to similar clashes. However, the Constitutions of Clarendon were a significant attempt by Henry II to reassert control over the church and restrict its powers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitutions of Clarendon were a set of legislative procedures passed by King Henry II of England in 1164.
The Constitutions aimed to restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of the Church courts and the extent of papal authority in England.
The Church leaders in England, including Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, reluctantly agreed to the provisions.
When the Pope condemned the agreement, Becket reversed his position and also condemned the Constitutions. This led to a bitter conflict between Becket and Henry, which ended in Becket's murder in 1170.
After Becket's murder, Henry revoked the two controversial clauses, but the rest of the Constitutions remained in effect and were integrated into the common law of England.
