Simon Langham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Simon Langham O.S.B. |
|
|---|---|
| Cardinal, Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of All England |
|
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| Appointed | 24 July 1366 |
| Enthroned | unknown |
| Reign ended | 28 November 1368 |
| Predecessor | William Edington |
| Successor | William Whittlesey |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina Bishop of Ely |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 20 March 1362 by William Edington |
| Created Cardinal | 22 September 1368 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1310 Langham, England |
| Died | 22 July 1376 Avignon, France |
| Buried | Westminster Abbey |
Simon de Langham (born 1310 – died 22 July 1376) was an important English church leader. He held very high positions, including Archbishop of Canterbury and a Cardinal.
Contents
Early Life and Church Career
Simon Langham was born in a place called Langham in Rutland, England. This area was owned by Westminster Abbey. When he was young, he became a monk at the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Westminster.
A monk is a man who dedicates his life to religious service. He lives in a special community called an abbey. Simon Langham rose through the ranks there. He became a prior, who helps lead the abbey. Later, he became the abbot, which is the head of the abbey.
Important Government Roles
Simon Langham also served the King of England in important ways. In November 1360, he became the Treasurer of England. This meant he was in charge of the country's money.
On 10 January 1362, he became the Bishop of Ely. A bishop is a senior leader in the Christian church. He was officially made bishop on 20 March 1362. While he was Bishop of Ely, he helped Peterhouse, Cambridge, a college at Cambridge University. He gave them land and money.
He stopped being the Treasurer before February 1363. Soon after, on 21 February 1363, he was named Chancellor of England. The Chancellor was another very powerful role, like a chief minister to the King.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Simon Langham was chosen to be the Archbishop of Canterbury on 24 July 1366. This is the most senior church position in England. It means he was the leader of the church in England.
During his time as Archbishop, he made a big change at Canterbury Hall, Oxford. He replaced the regular priests there with monks. One of the priests he removed was named John de Wiclif. Some people believe this was the famous reformer John Wycliffe.
Becoming a Cardinal
Even though Langham had helped the King with some laws against the Pope, Pope Urban V made him a Cardinal in 1368. A cardinal is a very high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, chosen by the Pope.
This decision made King Edward III unhappy. So, two months later, Simon Langham resigned from being Archbishop. He then moved to Avignon, a city in France where the Pope lived at the time. He had already resigned as Chancellor in July 1367.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1374, Simon Langham was chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury again. However, he decided not to take the role. He died in Avignon on 22 July 1376.
Simon Langham left most of his large fortune and his library to Westminster Abbey. Because of his generous gifts, he is sometimes called the abbey's "second founder." His money helped pay for the building of the western part of the abbey's main church area. His tomb, created by the artist Henry Yevele, is the oldest monument to a church leader in Westminster Abbey.
