A Cluniac prelate: Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester (1129-1171)
Description
The thesis of this dissertation is that the unifying factor in the life of Henry of Blois was his Cluniac profession. Given to as an oblate at a very early age, Henry was formed as a person in the abbey of Cluny. That formation could not entirely be left behind, no matter what else happened to him. At Cluny he became a member of a particular family with its own way of thinking, style of life, and values. Although he left behind the specific aspects of the religious life when he became a bishop, Henry of Blois always remained a Cluniac This thesis is developed in two parts. The first part, consisting of four chapters, establishes Henry of Blois' connection with Cluny. The paper begins with a general description of the Cluniac style and spirit and speculates on the oblate's education and upbringing in the abbey. A survey of Cluniac political thought follows, focussing mainly upon the Tractatus de Regia Potestate et Sacerdotali Dignitate of Hugh of St. Mary, monk of Fleury Using charter collections it is shown that Henry of Blois was indeed a Cluniac bishop. His consecration and subsequent involvement with all that the twelfth century episcopate entailed meant that Henry of Winchester was no longer technically a monk, but remained a Cluniac bishop The second part of this dissertation focusses upon Henry of Blois as a man of action, his relationship to King Stephen, his legateship, and his connection with Becket at the end of his life. The major sources for this study are the histories and chronicles of the period, especially the Gesta Stephani and the Historia Novella. This section is concerned with the critical question: can Henry of Winchester's deeds be understood in light of his Cluniac connection? To answer this question the dissertation compares the Cluniac political thought discussed in the second chapter, especially those common themes developed in the Tract of Hugh of St. Mary, with what Henry of Blois did as brother, counselor, legate, and friend. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)