Robert Bloet

Infobox bishopbiog
name =Robert Bloet


religion =Catholic
See =Diocese of Lincoln
Title = Bishop of Lincoln
Period = 1093–1123
Predecessor = Remigius de Fécamp
Successor =Alexander
ordination =
bishops =
post =
date of birth =
place of birth =
date of death =January 10 1123
place of death =

Robert Bloet (d. 1123), was a medieval English bishop and the fifth Lord Chancellor of England.

Life

He was chancellor to Kings William I of England and William Rufus. From the latter he received the see of Lincoln in March 1093 in succession to Remigius de Fécamp.Powicke "Handbook of British Chronology" p. 235] He was consecrated at Hastings not long before February 22 1094, probably on February 12 the day after the dedication of the church at Battle Abbey. [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33560 British History Online Bishops of Lincoln] accessed on October 28, 2007]

His private character was indifferent; but he administered his see with skill and prudence, built largely, and kept a magnificent household, which served as a training-school even for the sons of nobles.

Bloet was active in assisting King Henry I of England during the rebellion of 1102, and became that monarch's justiciar. Latterly, however, he fell out of favor, and, although he had been very rich, was impoverished by the fines which the king extorted from him. Perhaps his wealth was his chief offence in the king's eyes; for he was in attendance on Henry when seized with his last illness. He was the patron of the chronicler Henry of Huntingdon, whom he advanced to an archdeaconry. He died on January 10 1123 at Woodstock, Oxfordshire and was buried at Lincoln. He returned monks to Eynsham Abbey, who had been moved to Stow by his predecessor. This act set the precedent that the bishop of Lincoln would henceforth appoint the abbot to that house.Burton "Monastic and Religious Orders" p. 230]

Bloet was a married bishop,Partner "Henry of Huntingdon" "Church History" p. 471] and he appointed his son Simon as Dean of Lincoln. It was in Bloet's household that the medieval historian Henry of Huntingdon was brought up.Williams "English and the Norman Conquest" p. 177]

ee also

* List of bishops of Lincoln and precursor offices

Notes

References

*
* [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33560 British History Online Bishops of Lincoln] accessed on October 28, 2007
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* Powicke, F. Maurice and E. B. Fryde "Handbook of British Chronology" 2nd. ed. London:Royal Historical Society 1961
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Persondata
NAME=Bloet, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of Lincoln
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=January 1123
PLACE OF DEATH=