List of papal legates to England facts for kids
Have you ever wondered how leaders from different countries or organizations communicate? In the past, the Holy See (which is like the central government of the Catholic Church, led by the Pope) used to send special representatives called papal legates to different countries. These legates were important messengers and diplomats. This article lists the papal legates who were sent to England. The role of these legates was stopped for a while by King Henry VIII, but it was brought back by his daughter, Queen Mary I, who ruled from 1553 to 1558.
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Papal Legates: Special Messengers to England
What is a Papal Legate?
A papal legate was a very important official sent directly by the Pope. Think of them as the Pope's personal ambassadors. Their job was to represent the Pope's interests and carry out his instructions in a specific country. They had a lot of authority and were often involved in important decisions.
Why Were Legates Sent to England?
From the 11th century onwards, popes sent legates to England for many reasons. They helped manage church affairs, settled disputes, and kept a strong connection between the English Church and the Pope in Rome. These legates played a big role in the history of both England and the Catholic Church.
A List of Papal Legates in England (1066–1558)
Here is a list of some of the important papal legates who served in England during a long period of history. Their missions helped shape the relationship between the Pope and the English monarchy.
- 1070 - Hubert, who signed the Accord of Winchester
- 1095 - Walter of Albano
- 1101 - Guy, Archbishop of Vienna (who later became Pope Callixtus II)
- 1115–1120? - Anselm of St Saba
- 1125 - John of Crema
- 1126–1130 - William de Corbeil
- 1132–1136 - William of Corbeil
- 1138–1139 - Alberic of Ostia
- 1139–1143 - Henry of Blois, who was also the Bishop of Winchester
- 1149-1159 - Theobald of Bec, who was also the Archbishop of Canterbury
- 1190 - William Longchamp
- 1213 - Niccolò de Romanis, who was the Bishop of Tusculum
- 1213–1216 - Pandulf Verraccio, who later became the Bishop of Norwich (he was a legatus missus or nuncio)
- 1216–1218 - Guala Bicchieri
- 1218–1221 - Pandulf Verraccio, who later became the Bishop of Norwich
- 1237/1240 - Otto of Tonengo
- 1265–1268 - Ottobuono Fieschi, who later became Pope Adrian V
- 1518–1530 - Thomas Wolsey
- 1536–1557 - Reginald Pole
- 1557–1558 - William Petow