9 – 17 June

Services will be followed by a procession through the City.

Stephen Langton was Archbishop of Canterbury between 1207 and his death in 1228, and was a central figure in the political dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215.

King John of England proclaimed anyone who recognized Stephen as Archbishop as a public enemy and on 15 July 1207 he expelled the Canterbury monks, who were now unanimous in support of Stephen. In March 1208, Pope Innocent III placed England under interdict and at the close of 1212, after repeated negotiations had failed, he passed sentence of deposition against John. In May 1213 King John yielded and Stephen and his fellow exiles returned to England. Stephen then became a leader in the struggle against King John and his leadership and the Barons’ military strength forced John to seal the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215.

Canterbury City Council is working with many partners across the District to plan varied and exciting events throughout, and prior to, 2015 to engage communities and raise awareness of the Magna Carta and the importance it had in forming our modern day laws.

For more information, contact Alison Hargreaves, Executive Support Officer on [email protected]