Pope Boniface VIII
Pope Boniface VIII (1235-1303) Once Rector of St.Lawrence Church, TowcesterPope Boniface VIII (1235-1303) Once Rector of St.Lawrence Church, Towcester
Pope Boniface VIII was Rector of St.Lawrence Church Towcester before he was elevated to the positionof Pope.

Benedetto Caetani (Benedict Cajetan) was born about 1235 in Anagni and died in Rome 1303. Benedetto had studied Canon and Civil law in Italy, and had been made a canon successively at Anagni, Todi, Paris, Lyons, and Rome. In 1265 he accompanied Cardinal Ottobuono Fieschi to England, when he could have visited Towcester.

On 23 January 1295 he was consecrated in Rome as Pope Boniface VIII. He was a patron of learning, founding an educational institute in Rome in 1303.

Boniface published his "Unam Sanctam" in 1303 in which he made the controversial statement that princes as well as others are subject to the jurisdiction of the Roman pontiff in both temporal and spiritual matters.

His other important publication in 1298 was the "Liber sextus" According to a contemporary eyewitness, Giovanni Villani [citation needed] "he was the most clever canonist of his time, more feared than loved and a nepotist"

Baker, 1836, states that "On his elevation to the papal chair, he resigned this rectory and appointed his successor".
Reference
  1. Baker (1836) "The History and Antiquities of the County of Northamptonshire" by George Baker VOL III London. Published by J.B.Nicholas & Son Parliament Street. 1836 (page 3 12-338).