Pandulph

Also known as: Pandulf / Pandulph the popes legat · Family: Papacy · Role: legate · First appears: King John 16

Around 1211, Pandulph came to King John in England as a papal legate with Durant, urging him to abandon his disobedience to the Church and reform his actions. When they failed to secure the restitution of seized goods, the legates departed, leaving King John excommunicated and the land under interdict. Pope Innocent III later appointed Pandulph to go to France with the English exiles.

In 1213, Pandulph arrived at Dover, where King John received him with honour. Soon afterward, King John surrendered his crown to Pandulph on the pope’s behalf; Pandulph kept it for five days “in token of possession thereof” before returning it as the pope’s vicar. At Dover, Pandulph and King John concluded a final peace, and King John delivered him the submission charter to take to Rome, while rendering homage to Innocent III.

Pandulph reconciled King John but withheld absolution until the promised restitution had been made, receiving eight thousand marks in part payment before sailing to France and reporting to Philip II of France. Around 1215, he joined Peter des Roches in pronouncing Innocent III’s excommunication against the barons.