The collect for a Bishop or Archbishop, on the Commemoration of Stephen Langton (c. 1150-1228), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1207, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):
O GOD, our heavenly Father, who didst raise up thy faithful servant Stephen Langton to be a Bishop in thy Church and to feed thy flock: We beseech thee to send down upon all thy Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, the abundant gift of thy Holy Spirit, that they, being endued with power from on high, and ever walking in the footsteps of thy holy Apostles, may minister before thee in thy household as true servants of Christ and stewards of thy divine mysteries; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
The Gospel: St. Luke 12:37-43
Stephen Langton was one of the most distinguished churchmen, scholars, and statesmen of medieval England. Born in Lincolnshire, he studied theology at the University of Paris, where he became a renowned biblical scholar and teacher.
In 1206, Pope Innocent III consecrated Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury. This appointment triggered a bitter, eight-year dispute with King John, who refused to recognise Langton and barred him from England. Langton remained in exile in France until John finally capitulated under papal interdict in 1213.
Langton’s leadership helped secure Magna Carta in 1215, whose first clause famously declared “the English Church shall be free.” Though briefly suspended by the Pope for supporting the barons, Langton later returned, guided the regency of Henry III, and secured the 1225 reissue of Magna Carta.
Stephen Langton also made a lasting contribution to biblical scholarship. He is traditionally credited with dividing the books of the Latin Bible into the chapter system that is still used today, greatly improving the organisation and study of Scripture. His work as a theologian, church leader, and defender of justice earned him lasting respect. Langton remained Archbishop of Canterbury until his death in 1228, leaving a legacy that influenced both the Church and English constitutional history.
Langton died on 9 July 1228 at Slindon, Sussex, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. A scholar-primate who prioritized justice and ecclesiastical liberty, he helped embed the principle that even kings are subject to law—an enduring legacy in Western constitutional thought.
Artwork: Stephen Langton, stained glass, Southwark Cathedral, London. Photograph taken by admin, 20 October 2014.