John of Salisbury

(c. 1115 - 1180)

Most likely educated at Salisbury and Exeter, John of Salisbury traveled to Paris in 1136 to study at the university in Mont-Sainte-Geneviève, where the scholastic philosopher Peter Abelard had recently set up a school. After finishing his studies, he worked as an administrator and secretary for the archbishop of Canterbury, composing his letters, offering legal counsel, and acting as an ambassador throughout Europe. In 1163 he was exiled by Henry II for advocating for the Church’s autonomy from the crown.