Clarendon, constitutions of

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Clarendon, constitutions of. A written statement of Henry II's view of his customary rights over the English church. It was issued at a council held at the palace of Clarendon in January 1164 in an attempt to clarify and settle the issues at stake in the king's quarrel with Becket. He required the bishops to promise to obey these customs in good faith, but since some of the constitutions, including one perceived as undermining benefit of clergy, seemed to threaten the liberty of the church and in consequence were soon condemned by Pope Alexander III, the only outcome was to escalate the dispute.

John Gillingham

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