Theobald von Bec
Theobald von Bec , French Thibaut du Bec OSB (* around 1090 in Thierville , † April 18, 1161 in Canterbury ) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1138 to 1161. He was of Norman descent.
He entered the Benedictine Abbey of Le Bec early , where he became prior in 1127 and abbot ten years later . In 1138 King Stephen installed him as Archbishop of Canterbury in the highest English church office.
Obviously, he owed this calling to his gentle character. As Archbishop, he showed moderate leadership, in striking contrast to that of his rival, Henry of Blois , the Bishop of Winchester . During the battles between King Stephen and Empress Matilda , it was Bishop Henry who fought for the privileges of the Church. Theobald, however, took sides with the de facto ruler Stephan.
In the Winchester Treaty, King Stephan recognized the right of inheritance of Heinrich , the son of Empress Mathilde, so that Theobald crowned Heinrich King of England in 1154 after the death of Stephen . Theobald then became his reliable chancellor, but could not fully exert his influence due to his fragile health. He placed the interests of the church in the hands of his archdeacon Thomas Becket , whom he also recommended to Heinrich as chancellor.
After Theobald's death, Heinrich appointed Becket archbishop.
Individual evidence
- ^ Powicke & Fryde: Handbook of British Chronology. 2nd Edition. London, 1961, p. 210.
- ↑ Dieter Berg: The Anjou Plantagenets: The English kings in Europe in the Middle Ages (1100-1500) . Kohlhammer, 2003, ISBN 3-17-014488-X .
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| Wilhelm of Corbeil |
Archbishop of Canterbury 1138–1161 |
Thomas Becket |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Theobald von Bec |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Theobald of Canterbury; Thibaut du Bec |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Archbishop of Canterbury |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1090 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Thierville |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 18, 1161 |
| Place of death | Canterbury |