Pandulf

views updated May 29 2018

Pandulf (d. 1226). Bishop of Norwich. Born in Rome, Pandulf was sent by Innocent III to negotiate an end to the dispute with King John, which had brought England under interdict. He arrived in 1211 and demanded the restoration of Archbishop Langton. John refused and Pandulf departed. He was sent back in 1213 by which time John's position had weakened and he sued for terms, doing homage to the pope for his kingdom. Henceforward Pandulf advised John and was created bishop of Norwich in 1215, though he was not consecrated until 1222. After John's death, Pandulf took a prominent part in the government of the country during the minority of Henry III, forming a triumvirate with Hubert de Burgh and Peter des Roches. He did much to restore the royal position after the vicissitudes of John's reign. But Langton's return from Rome resulted in Pandulf's legatine authority being cancelled in 1221 and his installation as bishop followed. He died in Rome but was buried in his cathedral at Norwich.

J. A. Cannon