The later twelfth and early thirteenth centuries saw the culmination of a number of the phenomena we have been discussing. These include, but are not limited to, the zenith of crusader activity, especially among the English (mainly as a result of the fall of Jerusalem in 1187 to the Islamic forces under Saladin), attempts by kings to centralize control over their kingdoms, especially John in England and Philip II in France, and attempts by the papacy to centralize control over Christianity, namely in the figures of Innocent III and Gregory IX. Large-scale expeditions to the Holy Land were launched by leading figures in Europe, including Frederick Barbarossa, King Richard I of England, King Philip II of France, and Frederick II of Germany. Richard I brought a sizeable number of the higher-ranking clergy with him, as they were powerful churchmen and also important members of his government. We begin our examination with Hubert Walter, bishop of Salisbury (r. 1189–93), archbishop of Canterbury (1193–1205), chancellor to Richard I, and legate of Celestine III (1195–98), and with his predecessor, Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury. The reputations of Hubert and Baldwin will be contrasted with that of Philip of Dreux (a servant of Philip II of France, who was active in warfare against the Angevin kings), and his experiences will demonstrate the cardinal importance of political ideology, pragmatism, and perceived worldliness in determining how a churchmen’s military violence would be portrayed by contemporaries. Our final figure, Peter des Roches, parlayed his military activities into reaching the height of political and ecclesiastical power, serving both as a bishop and as regent for the young Henry III. He achieved these powers, and the respect of contemporaries, despite (or because of) his embrace of active fighting in battle. These men were comfortable in warfare, wore armor, bore weapons, and used them personally in battle, and yet they rose to great heights of power in the secular and ecclesiastical hierarchies, and were often praised for their devotion to God and king.

Hubert Walter (c.1160–1205) was one of the most important ecclesiastical figures during the reigns of Richard I and John, and his family had a long history of royal service.