SOURCE: Lloyd, Roger. “John of Salisbury.” Church Quarterly Review 108 (April-July 1929): 19-38.

In the following essay, Lloyd presents an overview of John's life and career.

I

No student of twelfth century history can long remain unaware of John of Salisbury. The books abound in references to him, and when almost any of the great scholars cross their pages, one may be sure that John is not far away. When the writers are dealing with Church Councils, with the Popes and the Curia, with the diplomacy of kings, or political theory, John is still lurking round the corner. He touched the life of his time at so many points, and he travelled so widely, that in retrospect he seems to be ubiquitous. His whole life was passed in the company of great men, and he was present at most of the exciting and important scenes of his day. Yet it...