A Historical Note

Since the anniversary was just yesterday, it’s appropriate to remember that on July 9, 1228, Stephen Langton died. Stephen was the Archbishop of Canterbury who lived an adventurous, political life – being deposed by King John of that position until the Pope intervened. He was later deposed from that position by the Pope but reinstated after that Pope’s death. Stephen was a proponent of the Magna Carta, supporting the rights of free people and putting him at odds with both the throne and the Roman Church. He agitated for it in a number of ways until the King put his seal on it. Among other things, however, Stephen is also the person who organized putting chapters and verses into our Bibles, making them easier to use, learn, and memorize.