Gervase of Blois
Encyclopedia
Gervase of Blois was the Abbot of Westminster in England
between c.1138 to c.1157. Historically Gervase has had a bad reputation for mismanaging the abbey, although modern historians have re-evaluated his performance as abbot.
and his mistress, Damette. His father ensured that he was appointed as the Abbot
of Westminster Abbey
in the second half of 1138; the abbey would have hoped to receive additional royal funding as a result. Gervase was very young to be appointed abbot, but despite this probably attended the Second Lateran Council the following year. Working with the Prior Osbert of Clare
, Gervase unsuccessfully attempted to have King Edward the Confessor
canonized; the abbey held the remains of the king which would have brought in valuable pilgrims had it been canonised.
Pope Innocent II ordered Gervase to reform the estate management of the abbey; historians have disagreed over the years about whether the pope was referring to long-standing issues of malpractice, or ones that had appeared during his term of office. Pope Eugenius III appears to have thought Gervase a reasonable abbot, granting the abbey privileges in the 1140s, and Gervase got on well with his fellow senior clergy.
In 1154, however, Stephen died, being replaced by his nephew, Henry II
, putting Gervase's position at risk. Gervase was accused by Henry of mishandling the abbey's estates and he was dismissed from post in 1157, albeit without trial, dying shortly afterwards. He was replaced by Master Laurence from Durham
, a supporter of the new king.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
between c.1138 to c.1157. Historically Gervase has had a bad reputation for mismanaging the abbey, although modern historians have re-evaluated his performance as abbot.
Description
Gervase of Blois was the illegitimate son of King Stephen of EnglandStephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
and his mistress, Damette. His father ensured that he was appointed as the Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in the second half of 1138; the abbey would have hoped to receive additional royal funding as a result. Gervase was very young to be appointed abbot, but despite this probably attended the Second Lateran Council the following year. Working with the Prior Osbert of Clare
Osbert of Clare
Osbert of Clare was a monk Westminster Abbey, elected Prior and briefly abbot. He was a prolific writer of letters, a hagiographer and a forger of charters.-Works:By 1138, he had reworked the vita Ædwardi regis of Westminster Abbey...
, Gervase unsuccessfully attempted to have King Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor also known as St. Edward the Confessor , son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066....
canonized; the abbey held the remains of the king which would have brought in valuable pilgrims had it been canonised.
Pope Innocent II ordered Gervase to reform the estate management of the abbey; historians have disagreed over the years about whether the pope was referring to long-standing issues of malpractice, or ones that had appeared during his term of office. Pope Eugenius III appears to have thought Gervase a reasonable abbot, granting the abbey privileges in the 1140s, and Gervase got on well with his fellow senior clergy.
In 1154, however, Stephen died, being replaced by his nephew, Henry II
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
, putting Gervase's position at risk. Gervase was accused by Henry of mishandling the abbey's estates and he was dismissed from post in 1157, albeit without trial, dying shortly afterwards. He was replaced by Master Laurence from Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
, a supporter of the new king.