William Cosmo Gordon Lang Historical Figure Nationality: Britain Religion: Anglican Date of Birth: 1864 Date of Death: 1945 Cause of Death: Heart Failure Occupation: Priest, Bishop, Archbishop of Canterbury, Politician Turtledove Appearances: The War That Came Early POD: July 20, 1936; Relevant POD: September 29, 1938 Appearance(s): The Big Switch Type of Appearance: Direct

The Right Reverend and the Right Honourable William Cosmo Gordon Lang, 1st Baron Lang of Lamberth was an Anglican clergyman of the early twentieth century.

Early in his priestly career he rose to prominence quickly, becoming Archbishop of York within eighteen years of his consecration--climbing the ranks with a speed that is unheard of in the modern era. As Archbishop of York, Lang became one of the Lords Spiritual and was seated in the House of Lords, where he spoke out in favor of or against a wide variety of issues much more adamantly than clergymen typically did. Lang took positions that were controversial, both theologically and politically, and this eroded the respect and admiration he had previously enjoyed.

Nonetheless, Lang was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1928, in which position he continued to be uncommonly outspoken. As Archbishop for the early years of World War II, he supported the appeasement policy of the Chamberlain Government. He did preach against the anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi Party and urged his flock to be prepared to give aid and comfort to distressed European Jews as opportunities to do so presented themselves.

Lang retired as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1942 but remained active politically. He was created Lord Lang of Lambert and, now as a Lord Temporal, participated in debates in the House of Lords for the rest of his life. In December 1945 he died suddenly of heart failure.

Cosmo Lang in The War That Came EarlyEdit

Cosmo Lang presided at the funeral of Winston Churchill in the summer of 1940. His eulogy was dull and passionless.^[1]

1. ↑ The Big Switch ch 15

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