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The life and career of Bishop Bernard of St. David's (1100-1148). / Edward Charles Knight

Swansea University Author: Edward Charles Knight

Abstract

In this work, Bishop Bernard's role in, and contribution to, ecclesiastical and political developments - both within and without his own diocese- will be examined in detail and in a more holistic way than hitherto attempted. Such a study, it is argued, reveals his to have been a significant rol...

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Published: 2006
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42284
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Abstract: In this work, Bishop Bernard's role in, and contribution to, ecclesiastical and political developments - both within and without his own diocese- will be examined in detail and in a more holistic way than hitherto attempted. Such a study, it is argued, reveals his to have been a significant role at a critical time not only for Anglo-Welsh relations but also for Anglo-Norman high politics and Church-State co-operation in the first half of the twelfth century - a formative period in all these areas. Whilst not a biography strictu sensu, an attempt is made to collect and interpret whatever extant body of sources exist for his life and actions. Bishop Bernard of St David's (b.c.1070 d. 22 April 1148) appears from total obscurity to a life and career amongst the governing elite of twelfth century Anglo-Norman Britain lasting nearly half a century. For much of his time, 1119--1144 he can himself be counted as a member of that governing elite. By 1102 Bernard was a chaplain to King Henry I and in that year was made custodian of the see of Hereford. On the 25 December 1102 Bernard became chancellor to Henry's wife Matilda. Over the next twelve years they formed what was apparently an effective and close working relationship during which Bernard came into contact with Matilda's brother David, with whom Bernard was to develop long-term relations. After the 'White Ship' disaster of 1120, Bernard appears regularly and for sustained period of time, to be amongst Henry's leading courtiers and advisers. A re-evaluation of charter attestations and other evidence has shown Bernard to be even more at the centre of the Anglo-Norman court than has been previously imagined. Bernard also played an important diplomatic role on Henry's behalf, particularly representing the king at the papal court as well as escorting papal legates. Consecrated bishop of St. David's on 18 September 1115, the first Anglo-Norman to hold the bishopric, Bernard's appointment was intimately connected with the growing influence of the crown within the diocese - Henry I having acquired the lordships of Pembroke and Carmarthen, both of which lay within Bernard's diocese. Bernard was to have close connections with Carmarthen in particular, establishing there an archdeaconry and an Augustinian priory. The pipe roll of 1131 hints that he may also have had, at some point after his election, a measure of administrative responsibility for the lordship. Bernard created his diocese with an unmistakable Norman influence, though with distinctive features, ones with diplomatic sensitivity to Welsh political and cultural boundaries. With the support of King Henry he was able to resist encroachment on his diocese by Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, despite papal support for his rival. Bernard oversaw a large expansion of the regular orders within his diocese and was personally responsible for the introduction of the Augustinians there and the Cistercians into Wales. During his episcopate, the Tironian order and the Knights of St. John were also introduced for the first time. After the death of Henry I the Welsh resurgence severely limited English royal power in Wales. Initially Bernard maintained his focus and place of influence at the court of the new king Stephen. When Stephen and the earl of Chester came up with a plan for limiting the power of the princes of Gwynedd by creating a new bishopric in Powys they asked Bernard to perform the consecration, but by 1140 this idea collapsed. At this time there was an increasing continuity of interest between Bernard, the Welsh princes under whose influence St. David's increasing fell, and the Empress Matilda who had returned to challenge Stephen for the throne of England. The newly Angevin Bernard reached an agreement with the Welsh princes who recognised his metropolitan status; this brought him into conflict with the pro-Stephen, Theobald of Canterbury. After the failure of the empress to gain control of England, Bernard devoted his last years, after 1144, to gain metropolitan status for his diocese but died before Eugenius III could pronounce a final verdict in the case.
Keywords: Biographies.;Religious history.;Medieval history.
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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