Innocent

in'o-sent, the name of thirteen popes. The most celebrated of the name was Innocent III who occupied the papal chair from 1198-1216. He reformed abuses of the church, extended the papal domains, excommunicated Philip Augustus of France for divorcing his wife, brought John, King of England, to terms, and made him confirm Stephen Langton as archbishop of Canterbury. He directed two crusades. He was a man of character and force, not only a natural leader of the church, but the most powerful monarch of his day. See Pope