Adam Easton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adam Easton O.S.B. |
|
|---|---|
| Cardinal-Priest of Santa Cecilia | |
,_tomba_del_cardinale_di_hartford,_m._1398.jpg)
Tomb monument in Santa Cecila in Trastevere (15th century)
|
|
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 18 December 1389 |
| Reign ended | 15 September 1397 |
| Other posts | Dean of York (1382–1385) |
| Orders | |
| Created Cardinal | 21 December 1381 |
| Rank | Cardinal-priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1328/1338 Easton, Norfolk, England. |
| Died | 15 September 1397 Rome, Papal States |
| Buried | Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Gloucester College, Oxford |
Adam Easton (born around 1328-1338 – died September 15, 1397) was an important English cardinal. He was born in a place called Easton in Norfolk, England.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Adam Easton joined the Benedictine monks in Norwich. Later, he moved to Gloucester College, Oxford, which was a Benedictine college at Oxford University. He was a very bright student, known for being especially good at learning Hebrew.
He worked for Simon Langham, another important church leader. Adam Easton traveled with Langham to places like Rome and Avignon. Because he was so smart and capable, he soon got a job working for the main Church administration, called the Curia.
Church Career and Challenges
Adam Easton played a key role in defending the Catholic Church's beliefs. He helped challenge and speak out against the ideas of John Wycliff, who had different views about the Church.
In 1381, Pope Urban VI made Adam Easton a Cardinal. This is a very high rank in the Church. Around the same time, he was also named Dean of York, which is a senior church position in England.
Adam Easton helped organize the wedding and coronation of King Richard II and Anne of Bohemia at Westminster Abbey. He might have even written an important book for the coronation called the Liber Regalis.
However, Adam Easton faced a difficult time in 1385. He was put in prison by Pope Urban VI in Italy. The Pope thought he was part of a plot with five other cardinals. Adam Easton was stripped of his cardinal title and his deanery. While others were put to death, Adam Easton was saved because King Richard II personally asked for his release.
Restored to Power
The next Pope, Boniface IX, gave Adam Easton his cardinal title back on December 18, 1389. It's thought that Adam Easton might have returned to England for a while. Records show his books were sent from Rome to Norwich for him to use. He continued to hold important church positions in England, including the deanery of York.
Important Works and Ideas
Adam Easton wrote many books and documents. One of his most important works was a large book called Defence of Ecclesiastical Power. In this book, he defended the Church's authority against the power of the state. He also argued against the ideas of other thinkers like Marsilius of Padua and William of Occam. He also showed why he believed Wycliff's ideas were wrong. Even when disagreeing, he was always polite to those he argued against, calling them "men of great learning."
Some of his other writings still exist today. Many of the books from his personal library were sent back to Norwich from Rome. He also wrote a special prayer service for the Visitation of Our Lady.
Adam Easton also worked hard to help make Birgitta of Sweden a saint in 1391. He wrote a detailed paper defending her visions and writings. He may have even been a spiritual guide to Julian of Norwich, helping to edit her famous book, Showing of Love.
Later Life and Legacy
Adam Easton died in Rome on September 15, 1397. His tomb, which was built later, is in the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere in Rome, where he was a cardinal.
See Also
