During the medieval period there was one ‘universal’ Christian Church, presided over by its spiritual head, the Pope, in Rome, but national Churches developed their own characteristics. Conflict between popes and kings, usually over who had the greater authority, often affected the national church. For example, King John (reigned AD 1199-1216) quarrelled with Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) over the succession to the see of Canterbury. In 1208, Innocent placed an interdict on England and Wales (no church services could take place) which lasted for six years. John himself was excommunicated in 1209 (expelled from the Church). At first John was happy to confiscate church lands, but with rebellion mounting against him, he was forced to make peace with the Pope.

In 1309, the papacy transferred from Rome to Avignon in southern France. Most of the popes in the 14th century were French and it was widely believed that they were pawns of the French king, particularly by the English, who were at war with France. As a result papal authority over the English church was strongly opposed and its power to appoint senior churchmen was limited.