In 1139, Pope Innocent II denied Westminster Abbey’s request to obtain canonization for King Edward (reigned 1042–1066), later known as “the Confessor.” Modern scholars usually explain this failure in relation to the disruption of the early years of King Stephen’s reign, 1135–1154, when he and Empress Matilda clashed over who should wear England’s crown. While the contemporary political situation was an important influence on Pope Innocent’s decision, other factors were equally significant, in particular the fragility of Westminster Abbey’s own position within the kingdom. Although established as the site of English coronations, Westminster was yet to assert itself as the kingdom’s premier royal church, and its financial position was challe...