Constitutions of Clarendon facts for kids
The Constitutions of Clarendon were a set of important rules made by Henry II of England in 1164. These rules had 16 parts and were an attempt to limit the special powers of the Church and its courts in England. They also aimed to reduce the power of the Pope in English affairs.
Before Henry II became king, during the time of King Stephen (1135–1154), England was in a chaotic period called The Anarchy. The Church had gained more power because the king's authority was weak. The Constitutions were created to bring back the laws as they were during the reign of Henry I (1100–1135).
The Constitutions get their name from Clarendon Palace in Wiltshire. This was a royal hunting lodge where the rules were officially announced.
Why Were the Constitutions Created?
The main reason for the Constitutions was to deal with a big problem: "criminous clerks." These were members of the clergy (like priests or monks) who were accused of serious crimes. However, they were tried in special ecclesiastical courts (Church courts) because of a rule called "benefit of clergy."
Church Courts vs. King's Courts
Unlike the king's royal courts, Church courts had very limited ways to punish someone found guilty. For example, they could not cause bloodshed. A priest found guilty of murder might only be "defrocked" (removed from the priesthood). This meant they lost their Church job and special status.
Henry II wanted to change this. He believed that once Church courts had tried and defrocked a clergyman, the Church should no longer protect that person. He wanted these former clergy to be punished further by the king's secular courts, just like any other criminal. This would also help Henry increase his own power.
The king believed that punishments like whipping, fines, or being removed from the Church were not enough for serious crimes. The Archbishop, Thomas Becket, argued that punishing someone first by defrocking them and then by hanging them was like punishing them twice for the same crime. He said that once a person was defrocked, they lost all their special rights. If they committed another crime after that, then they could be punished like any other criminal.
What Happened Next?
Thomas Becket, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170, strongly disagreed with the Constitutions. He especially opposed the rule about "criminous clerks." Because of this, Henry II put Becket on trial. Becket then had to flee England and live in exile with his family.
At first, many bishops agreed with the rules. But when the Pope disagreed with them, Becket changed his mind and also rejected the rules. This led to a very bitter disagreement known as the Becket controversy. The conflict became so intense that Becket was murdered on December 29, 1170.
After Becket's murder, Henry II felt pressured to cancel the two most controversial rules. These rules went against the Church's own laws. However, the rest of the Constitutions of Clarendon remained in effect as the law of the land.
