Papal Government and England during the Pontificate of Honorius III (1216–1227)

Abstract

This study of the administrative 'revolution' of the thirteenth-century papacy investigates the background and career of Honorius III, who was deeply involved in the developing administration of Chamber and Chancery from the late twelfth century, and reveals a picture of evolution rather than revolution in the papal offices of state. Honorius's Chancery is subjected to a vigorous examination. Valuable appendices list all the known papal scribes and provide diplomatic commentaries. Tables indicate details about the registers and the registrative system. The central machinery is shown in action, particularly in dealing with English affairs and petitioners and Honorius's place in the development of canon law is discussed in relation to the English background and experience.

The life and career of Master Wiger of Utrecht (fl. 1209-1237): an early convert to the Order of Friars Minor

“…89 As Julia Barrow has noted, 'The success of the chapter as an economic organisation depended largely on the personality of the provost, and if he was an absentee or a poor administrator there was considerable friction between him and the rest of the chapter.' 90 Thus, the canon waiting for 83 Jordan, 'provost', [195][196][197] collation to a prebend, or looking to profit from his situation, often had more to gain by currying favour with his provost than in looking to his bishop for recognition. Van den Hoven van Genderen observes that while the chapter was subject to both the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction of the bishop, the collegiate churches also had considerable economic freedom: the chapters established their own rules and statutes, they convened their own assemblies and presided over their patrimonies generally without the overt interference of the bishop.…”

“…195 Jane E. Sayers notes that Otto served as auditor litterarum contradictarum for Honorius III and had probably acquired legal training at Bologna during the early 1220s. 196 After he completed his education, Otto served the papal court in other capacities before he became a member of the curia. His name appeared in connection with a papal document from Bologna in 1224, and in 1225 Honorius III asked him to go to England as papal nuncius.…”

Doorkeepers, the chamberlain and petitioning at the papal court, c .1150-1200

“…69 The Data communis was a specific eventintroduced as part of this reform -when a papal notary received written petitions from supplicants and bore them to the pope, the chancellor or vice-chancellor as necessary. 70 Obviously, this ordinance would affect the hostiarii. If some petitioners could now present their written petitions directly to a chancery notary at the Data communis, then the hostiarii had less chance to receive access fees from petitioners seeking entry into the papal presence.…”