Hervey le Breton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hervey
Bishop of Ely
The transepts, or the short wings crossing in the middle of the long axis of Ely Cathedral, date from before Hervey's time as bishop.
Appointed	1109
Enthroned	October 1109
Reign ended	30 August 1131
Predecessor	new foundation
Successor	Nigel
Other posts	Bishop of Bangor royal chaplain
Orders
Consecration	1092 by Thomas of Bayeux
Personal details
Died	30 August 1131
Buried	31 August 1131 Ely Cathedral

Hervey le Breton (also known as Hervé le Breton; died 30 August 1131) was a church leader from Brittany. He became a Bishop in Wales and later in England.

King William II of England chose Hervey to be the Bishop of Bangor in Wales. At this time, the Normans were taking control of parts of Wales. However, the Welsh people fought back. Hervey had to leave his church area (called a diocese) because of this.

Later, in 1109, a new bishopric was created in Ely, England. Hervey was chosen to be the first Bishop of Ely. While he was bishop, he ordered a special book to be written. This book was a history of the church, and it later became known as the Liber Eliensis. Hervey also helped build a special raised road, called a causeway. This causeway made it easier to travel to Ely.

Hervey's Early Life

Hervey was from a place called Brittany. Some records say he was a chaplain for King William II. A chaplain is a religious leader who works for a king or queen.

In 1092, King William appointed Hervey as the Bishop of Bangor. Bangor was in a Welsh kingdom called Kingdom of Gwynedd. The Normans had recently taken over this area. Hervey's appointment likely helped the Normans keep control. Hervey was consecrated (officially made a bishop) by Thomas of Bayeux. Thomas was the Archbishop of York. The Archbishop of Canterbury's position was empty at that time.

Challenges as Bishop of Bangor

Hervey had many problems with the Welsh people. A history book, the Liber Eliensis, describes the situation. It says the Welsh did not respect Hervey as a bishop. Hervey tried to control them using church rules. He also used his own family and followers to help him.

However, the Welsh fought back. They even killed Hervey's brother. They wanted to harm Hervey too. Hervey had to rely on his own armed groups for safety. In 1094, the Welsh started a revolt against Norman rule. By the late 1090s, Hervey was forced to leave Bangor.

Another writer, William of Malmesbury, said Hervey left Bangor for a different reason. He claimed the church there did not make enough money. Hervey remained the official Bishop of Bangor until 1109.

King Henry I of England tried to move Hervey to a church in Lisieux in 1106. But this did not work. The main person who stopped it was Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury. Anselm was the most important bishop for Bangor. He did not want Hervey to move to a Norman church. While he was away from Bangor, Hervey served as King Henry's confessor. A confessor is someone a king tells his sins to. Bangor remained without a bishop until 1120.

Becoming Bishop of Ely

Before he died in 1107, the abbot of Ely, named Richard, wanted his abbey to become a bishopric. A bishopric is an area controlled by a bishop. After Richard died, Hervey was put in charge of the abbey.

Hervey convinced the monks at Ely to support Richard's plan. Archbishop Anselm agreed, but only if the Pope also approved. Pope Paschal II gave his approval. So, in 1109, the monastery became a bishopric. The abbey itself became the main church, called a cathedral. The monks of the abbey became the monks of the cathedral. Also in 1109, the Pope approved Hervey's move to this new area. He officially became the Bishop of Ely in October 1109.

While he was bishop, Hervey ordered a history book to be written. This book was about how the Ely abbey was re-established. It later became part of the Liber Eliensis. Hervey worked hard to get back the church's rights to land. He made sure that knights who lived on church lands served the bishop as they should.

Hervey attended a church council in 1127. He also attended a royal council in 1129. He ordered the building of a causeway between Ely and Exning. This made it easier for people to visit the shrine of Saint Ethelreda.

Hervey's Death

Hervey died on 30 August 1131. He was buried in Ely Cathedral the next day. Archbishop Anselm did not like Hervey. Hervey was described as someone who enjoyed worldly things.

Hervey had a nephew named William Brito. William was a royal chaplain. He became the Archdeacon of Ely by 1110. Another nephew, Richard, paid a fine to the king in 1130. This was for land that Hervey had given him. Another relative of Hervey was Gilbert Universalis. King Henry I appointed Gilbert to be the Bishop of London in 1128.