Joceline of Salisbury

Joceline Of Salisbury, a prelate of the early English Church, flourished from 1142 to 1184. In the controversy of Thomas a Becket with King Henry II on investitures, he played no unimportant part, for he sided with the king in this great ecclesiastical war, and thus fell under the displeasure of the archbishop. SEE INVESTITURE. The latter, in accordance with his indomitable spirit, soon found a pretext to impress his inferior with his power at Rome by condemning Joceline for his assent to the royal election or appointment of John of Oxford to the deanery of Salisbury, notwithstanding the archbishop's prohibition. Joceline adhering to his former course, Secket pronounced excommunication against the rebellious prelate, and this act was approved shortly after by pope Alexander III (1166). Of course the bishop remained in his place, but he encountered many difficulties from the subordination of inferior ecclesiastics, as in the case of the monks of Malmesbury about 1180 (comp. Inett, Hist. Engl. Ch. 2, ch. 15, § 19). SEE ENGLAND, CHURCH OF.