Medieval Diplomacy in Practice: Anglo-Papal Relations between King Henry III (1216-1272) and Pope Alexander IV (1254-1261)

This thesis looks at the diplomatic relationship between Pope Alexander IV (1254-1261) and King Henry III of England (1216-1272). Using Anglo-papal correspondence, English administrative records and thirteenth-century narrative sources, it will explore the political relationship between these two rulers as well as the diplomatic and administrative practices and procedures which underpinned this relationship, with a particular focus on the agents who conducted these exchanges between England and the papacy in the mid-thirteenth century.

Until recently, diplomatic relations between rulers have largely been understood through the outcomes of their interactions. Yet, this thesis seeks to highlight the methods, agents and language underpinning this relationship in order to better understand how diplomatic practices were conducted and how the machinery of government was utilised in diplomatic exchanges between these two rulers.

There has been very little study into the pontificate of Alexander IV, as such, this thesis will shine light on his political activities and style of rulership through his relationship with the English king and the English realm. Indeed, Alexander's pontificate was particularly shaped by his relationship with the English as it covered a period of political turbulence in both England and the Italian peninsula.

This thesis has been arranged into three sections addressing the themes of: (1) 'mediation and arbitration', (2) 'representation' and (3) 'communication and correspondence'. The first section on 'mediation and arbitration' comprises of Chapter One which highlights the key political events effecting England within which this pope intervened. The second section, 'representation', consists of Chapters Two, Three and Four which shed light on the variety of agents who significantly shaped Anglo-papal relations through their activities. Finally, section three, 'communication and correspondence', covers Chapter Five which explores the production, structure and language of the diplomatic letters, exploring the development of letter-writing practices between England and the papacy as well as the political relationship between Henry III and Alexander IV through the correspondence.