John Acton (canon lawyer) facts for kids
John Acton (died 1350) was an English expert in canon law. Canon law is like a set of rules and laws used by the Christian Church. Acton was famous for writing notes and explanations about the Church rules, called Constitutions. These rules were made by two important Church leaders, called papal legates, in the 1200s.
These legates were Cardinal Otto (Otto of Tonengo) and Cardinal Ottobone (who later became Pope Adrian V). They were sent to England to help King Henry III of England. Acton's name can be spelled in different ways, like Achedune, De Athona, Athone, and Eaton.
About John Acton
John Acton studied at the University of Oxford. He earned a special degree there called LL.D., which means he was a highly trained lawyer. He was a student of John de Stratford, another important person at the time.
In 1329, the Pope gave Acton a special job at Lincoln Cathedral. He became a 'canon' and received a 'prebend'. This meant he had a role in the church and also received an income. It took a few years for him to fully get these positions. By 1343, he was working at a place called Welton Ryval. In his books, he was always known as a canon of Lincoln. John Acton passed away in 1350.
His Important Writings
Acton's most important work was his detailed notes on the Church rules made by Otto and Ottobone. These rules were very important for many years. They were like the main Church law in England during that time.
Lawyers in Acton's time used his notes to understand and explain these Church laws. Many handwritten copies of Acton's notes were kept safe in libraries at Oxford University.
Acton's work was first printed in 1496. It was part of a bigger book called Provinciale by William Lyndwood. The printer was Wynkyn de Worde.
Later, other important people used Acton's writings. Sir Henry Spelman used them in his book Concilia. Parts of Acton's work were also translated into English in 1720 by John Johnson.
A historian named Frederic William Maitland once said that Acton was "a little too human to be strictly scientific." This means Acton sometimes used his writings to complain about the world around him. He would grumble about greedy Church leaders, dishonest monks, and officials who took too much.
