Langton was a clerk in the royal chancery, serving as the first Master of the Rolls from May 1286, and became chancellor in 1292.
[1] He obtained several ecclesiastical appointments (including as Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Horncastle), but owing to the resistance of Pope Boniface VIII he failed to secure the bishopric of Ely in 1298, although he was supported by King Edward I of England and visited Rome to attain his end.
[4] Langton was one of the ordainers elected in 1310, and it was probably his connection with this body[5] that led to his losing the office of chancellor about this time.
[1] He continued, however, to take part in public affairs, mediating between the king and Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster in 1318, and attempting to do so between Edward and his rebellious barons in 1321.
[3] Langton built the chapterhouse at Chichester, and was a benefactor of the University of Oxford.