July 2007 Issue No. 134 Editor: Susan Begg Papal authority. The opportunity for the two Langton Boys to hold the two highest positions in the English Church was never to present itself again. Discouraged, Simon accepted the office of Chancellor to the Dauphin, Louis, and it appears that he was amongst the French supporters of Louis who actually landed in Thanet upon the death of John in 1216 to Head of Sixth Form, Mr Ken Moffat has been oppose the enthronement of John’s son researching the life of Henry III. Support for the French contender Simon Langton. melted away and Simon Langton was left isolated, having backed the losing side. Again Little is known about the early life of Simon he was forced into exile, not to return until Langton other than that he was born in the 1224 when his brother wrought a recon- Lincolnshire Hamlet of Langton-by-Wragby ciliation with Henry and Simon Langton towards the end of the 12th Century and was began work as an intercessor between the probably educated at the University of Paris, English and French courts. like his brother Stephen, not at the new fan- gled University at Oxford. Both the Langton His growing favour at the court of King Henry boys endured a period of exile abroad during led to his appointment in 1227 as the period of hostility between King John and Archdeacon of Pope Innocent III and Simon was allowed Canterbury which three weeks safe conduct to come to England brought with it to meet with John in 1208 and intercede at the livings of Westminster on behalf of his brother Stephen Hackington (St and other exiled English clerics, though he Stephen’s) and appears not to have been successful and to Teynham. He have engendered a spirit of mistrust between moved into the himself and the king which never went away. vicarage of Hackington, After John was brought to heel by the barons which long con- at Runnymede and caused Magna Carta to be tinued as the sealed (the barons in this instance being led residence of the by Stephen Langton and Magna Carta was Arch-deacons also signed by Simon Langton), Simon was and maintained installed as Prebend of Strenshall in Coronation of King Henry III his high favour Yorkshire, a position which carried with it the with Henry, double weight of Canon of York Minster, though the sudden death of his brother in whilst Stephen resumed his practice of 1228 must have come as a terrible shock. Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1215 Simon was chosen by his fellow canons to be Two sources give us an insight into Simon’s Archbishop of York, though, bizarrely, his ap- remaining years as Archdeacon. The monk, pointment was quashed by Pope Innocent Matthew Paris, wrote unfavourably “having himself. Innocent, being no fan of John’s upset the peace of two kingdoms it was not outrages and decadence, was no more wonderful that he became a perturber and enamoured by the English barons taking the prosecuter of the Church at Canterbury.” And law into their own hands and, seeing Langton Gervase of Canterbury is equally disparaging as a prime mover in this insubordination, in his comments. It is important to remem- quashed his appointment in favour of John’s ber here that these two characters were nominee, Walter de Grey. Innocent’s bizarre monks of the Cathedral Chapter and it seems and unexpected argument seems to have that in his later years Simon Langton made it been that John, as King of England, was the his business to go to war with this body Pope’s vassal and that anyone trying to bring which he saw as distinct from the pious John to book would actually be usurping the followers of Archbishop Edmund. The deathbed of Matthew Paris organised a conspiracy of the clergy of the diocese against the monks. When, in 1240, the monks were on the verge of being ab- solved by the Pope, Langton appealed ve- hemently against the decision but a threat of Royal wrath and a sense of his being “too old to cross the Alps again” deterred him from presenting his appeal. His health began to fail and in 1241 “the proud spirit broke its bounds and fled”. His last years were marked by beneficence to the poor and one of his acts of charity was to found the Hospital for Poor Priests in Stour Street, the endowment for which later formed the basis of the endowment for the new Mid- dle Schools in Canterbury Rancour developed between the two parties in 1881, which were later throughout the 1230’s and in 1238 Langton named the Simon accompanied the Archbishop to Rome Langton Schools in where they denounced the monks of Can- 1887. terbury as guilty of fraud and forgery lead- ing to their excommunication. This is almost certainly the cause of Matthew Paris’ barbs against him. On the death of Edmund in 1240, the Archdeacon was accused of The Seal of Stephen Langton usurping the function of the Prior in his ec- clesiastical duties. Langton retorted with “contumelious words and blasphemies” and Brothers Angus (Year 11) and Guy (Year 9) Hewett continue to make a big splash in the swimming world. Both boys have qualified for the Natonal 100m freestyle com- petition in Sheffield later this year and Guy has also gained his colours for represent- ing Kent in the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and relay swimming. A Picture of Britain? Kingsley Walker of Year 8 Chavs took 22.03% of the vote work so it motivates them. If recently carried out a survey while the HRH took only you think about it when some- amongst his fellow students to 20.34%. The results are quite one is stressed they think find out which of the images interesting because if I had about having a cuppa; it helps below they felt most done the survey before the 1st people. I guess the nation has represented the Britain of of July I am sure more people an addiction today. He reports his fasci- would have voted for ciga- nating findings below: rettes. A large percentage of Alex Abbott (Cigarettes) boys in year 8 take the bus to I find them everywhere and the bus station and it surprises especially when I lived in Lon- me that cigarettes weren’t the don. The figures on people most prominent image in their dying are alarming, and it is minds. In fact only 4.24% of becoming ‘British’ to smoke at the votes went to cigarettes. a young age. The results say a lot of about Greg Markes (Chavs) year 8 because 20.34% think It has become the symbol of that Britain still stands for English adolescence. It is the tradition and history and the most prominent image of Brit- new things we have inherited ain. There are a lot of ‘Chavs’ from other countries like obe- in Britain and no other country sity don’t eclipse the tradition have that sort of people. Al- of Britain. though Britain is perceived by other countries as polite the As this is a boys school I actual fact is that we are over- thought that a sport may ridden with ‘Chavs’ who are emerge as the clear winner the complete opposite of the but I guess you cannot gener- stereotype. alise because football only took 13.56% of the vote – Jack Bell (Obesity) I think that the images I chose maybe because we haven’t I chose obesity because more carried a message. Queen won the World Cup since 1966 people are becoming obese Elizabeth represents Britain’s or really made a mark in and at a younger age. It is tradition and history, and the global football in recent years. also featured on the news a image of obesity is a represen- With a country full of glory lot. tation of the health of Britain. hunters, perhaps attention has The cup of tea speaks for it drifted to Rugby and Cricket? Nathanial Kent (The Queen) self while the image of Chavs Britain is very proud to have a represents Britain’s modern I asked some of the boys the royal family and the Queen is youth culture. A cigarette is reasoning behind their choice. one of the most recognised also a representation of health faces in the UK, if not the and because of the ban Joe Clarke (Football) world. Buckingham Palace is a smoking has been in the news Because I like football and it very popular tourist site and is a lot recently. The image of a originated in Britain. It is the also very recognisable. football is also self- national sport and lots of peo- explanatory. ple in the country follow it Thanks to all Year 8 boys who 118 boys across the year Feargus Welsh (cup of tea) took part in this survey and groups voted and the clear For centuries British people particular thanks to Kingsley winner was the cup of tea with have been fuelled by tea. Even Walker whose idea it was and 30.51% of the votes. my own mum has tea as her who did all the hard work. Alarmingly year 8 boys first priority; most British peo- t h o u g h t t h a t C h a v s ple couldn’t live without tea. It represented Britain more than fires the nation because they Queen Elizabeth because look forward to it when they World Languages Day 2007 report by Richard Walters 8G Twenty students from Year 8 ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ It My only regret was that I was were chosen to attend the was great fun, even though we unable to try out enough new World Languages Day at the really had to concentrate to languages.