Maurilius (–1067) was a Norman

Archbishop of Rouen The Archdiocese of Rouen (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Rothomagensis''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Rouen'') is a Latin Church archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. As one of the fifteen Archbishops of France, the Archbishop of Rouen's ecclesi ...

from 1055 to 1067. Maurilius was originally from

Reims Reims ( ; ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French Departments of France, department of Marne (department), Marne, and the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, 12th most populous city in Fran ...

, and was born about 1000. He trained as a priest at Liege and became a member of the

cathedral chapter According to both Catholic and Anglican canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics ( chapter) formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese during the vacancy. In ...

Halberstadt Halberstadt (; Eastphalian dialect, Eastphalian: ''Halverstidde'') is a town in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany, the capital of Harz (district), Harz district. Located north of the Harz mountain range, it is known for its old town ...

.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 121 He became a monk at Fecamp Abbey, but then became a hermit at Vallombrosa. From there he was elected

abbot Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of an independent monastery for men in various Western Christian traditions. The name is derived from ''abba'', the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ''ab'', and means "father". The female equivale ...

of the monastery of St Marry of Florence,Spear ''Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals'' pp. 196–197 but his austerity caused a revolt amongst the monks and he was forced to return to Fecamp. Maurilius held the office of Archbishop of Rouen from 1054, when he first occurs in documents as archbishop. The ''Annals of Jumieges'', however, place his elevation as archbishop in 1055. Maurilius succeeded Mauger, who was deposed by a council held in 1054 or 1055 at

Lisieux Lisieux () is a Communes of France, commune in the Calvados (department), Calvados Departments of France, department in the Normandy (administrative region), Normandy Regions of France, region in northwestern France. It is the capital of the Pa ...

under the guidance of a

papal legate 300px, A woodcut showing Henry II of England greeting the Pope's legate. A papal legate or apostolic legate (from the ancient Roman title '' legatus'') is a personal representative of the Pope to foreign nations, to some other part of the Catho ...

. After Mauger's deposition, Maurilius was appointed because of his support for church reform.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 69 Contemporaries praised his saintly character which gained him respect from his fellow clergy. He was also known for his scholarly interests and knowledge.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 128 He was a benefactor of the abbeys of Saint-Ouen, Jumièges, Le Tréport, and Saint-Ymer.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 124 Along with

Lanfranc Lanfranc, OSB (1005 1010 – 24 May 1089) was an Italian-born English churchman, monk and scholar. Born in Italy, he moved to Normandy to become a Benedictine monk at Bec. He served successively as prior of Bec Abbey and abbot of St Ste ...

, he convinced the future St Anselm to take monastic vows in 1060. As archbishop, he built a large church to replace

Rouen Cathedral Rouen Cathedral () is a Catholic church architecture, church in Rouen, Normandy, France. It is the Episcopal see, see of the Archbishop of Rouen, Primate of Normandy. It is famous for its three towers, each in a different style. The cathedral, b ...

.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 125Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 134 He also held at least one provincial

synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word '' synod'' comes from the Ancient Greek () ; the term is analogous with the Latin word . Originally, ...

- the 1063 Synod of Rouen, and perhaps held another ecclesiastical council sometime between 1055 and 1063.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 131 The archbishop's last appearance in documents happens in 1067, and he died in the summer of 1067. His last public act was to consecrate the new abbey church at Jumièges on 1 July 1067 in the presence of Duke

William William is a masculine given name of Germanic languages, Germanic origin. It became popular in England after the Norman Conquest, Norman conquest in 1066,All Things William"Meaning & Origin of the Name"/ref> and remained so throughout the Middle ...

, newly returned from his conquest of England in 1066.Douglas ''William the Conqueror'' p. 209 Two different dates are given for Maurilius' death, with a notice of his death appearing for 11 July at the monastery of

Mont Saint-Michel Mont-Saint-Michel (; Norman: ''Mont Saint Miché''; ) is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. The island lies approximately off France's north-western coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches and is i ...

but Jumièges Abbey recorded his death on 9 August. He was buried in Rouen Cathedral. After his death, the archbishopric was offered to

, who refused the office.

Citations

Sources

* . * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Maurilius 1000 births 1067 deaths Archbishops of Rouen