Hugh Foliot facts for kids

Hugh Foliot (born around 1155 – died 7 August 1234) was an important church leader in the Middle Ages. He became the Bishop of Hereford. He was related to the previous Bishop of Hereford. Hugh worked as a priest and a judge for the Pope. He also tried to become the Bishop of St David's in Wales, but he wasn't chosen.

In 1219, he was made Bishop of Hereford. During his time as bishop, he mostly focused on church duties. However, he sometimes helped the king manage things. He also helped start a hospital and a priory (a type of monastery). Hugh Foliot died in 1234 after being sick for several months.

Early Life and Church Work

Hugh Foliot was probably the son of Roger Foliot and his wife Rohese. His father, Roger, owned some land in Northamptonshire. Hugh was likely born between 1150 and 1160. He was related in some way to Robert Foliot, who was also a Bishop of Hereford before him.

Before becoming a bishop, Hugh was a canon (a type of priest) at Hereford Cathedral. By May 1186, he became the Archdeacon of Shropshire. An archdeacon is a church official who helps the bishop. Hugh often signed important documents as archdeacon, but we don't know much else about his time in that role.

From 1212 to 1219, he worked three times as a special judge appointed by the Pope. In 1215, King John wanted Hugh to be the Bishop of St David's in Wales. However, he was not elected for that position.

After Hugh didn't become bishop of St David's, King John gave him a church position in Colwall, Herefordshire, in February 1216. The king could do this because the usual Bishop of Hereford had recently died. Around this time, Hugh also supported Robert Grosseteste, a famous thinker who later became the Bishop of Lincoln.

Becoming Bishop of Hereford

In 1219, Hugh Foliot was one of three church leaders from Hereford Cathedral. They were sent to King Henry III's court. Their job was to get permission for the cathedral to choose a new bishop.

Hugh Foliot was chosen as the new Bishop of Hereford in June 1219. He was officially made bishop on 27 October 1219. This ceremony happened at Canterbury, and William de Goldcliff, the Bishop of Llandaff, was also made bishop at the same time.

Life as Bishop

In 1221, the new bishop went on a special religious journey with Peter des Roches, the Bishop of Winchester. They traveled to Spain to visit the shrine of St James at Compostela. Some old records were unsure if Hugh went to Rome or Compostela, but because he was with Peter des Roches, we know it was Compostela.

Hugh Foliot spent most of his time as bishop in his own area, called a diocese. He didn't often go to the king's court or take on government jobs. On 30 December 1223, he did take on one such duty. He took control of Hereford Castle. This happened after Hubert de Burgh gave up the castle during a time when royal castles were being reorganized. Hugh was also asked to figure out the size of the royal forest in Gloucestershire.

Bishop Foliot also helped the community. He founded a hospital in Ledbury, which was dedicated to St Katherine. He also helped start Alberbury Priory, a religious house for a group called the Grandmontines. In his own cathedral, he made changes to how the church positions and duties were organized. He also gave money to create more church positions.

Hugh Foliot died on 7 August 1234, after being sick since the spring. He was buried in Hereford Cathedral, and his tomb is still there today. Hugh also helped his younger brother, Thomas. He appointed Thomas to church jobs in the diocese, first as a precentor (a church singer and leader) in the 1220s, and then as the treasurer of the cathedral around 1230.