Hugh de Balsham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hugh de Balsham |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Ely | |
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| Elected | 1256 |
| Reign ended | 16 June 1286 |
| Predecessor | William of Kilkenny |
| Successor | John Kirkby |
| Other posts | sub-prior of Ely |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 14 October 1257 by Pope Alexander IV |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 16 June 1286 Dodington manor, Dodington, Gloucestershire, England |
| Buried | 24 June 1286 Ely Cathedral |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Hugh de Balsham (also called Hugo) was an important English bishop who lived a long time ago. He was known for being the Bishop of Ely and for starting Peterhouse, which is the very first college at the famous University of Cambridge. He was a kind and helpful leader during his time.
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Who Was Hugh de Balsham?
Not much is known about where Hugh de Balsham came from. His name suggests he might have been connected to the village of Balsham in Cambridgeshire. He was a Benedictine monk at Ely. A monk is a man who dedicates his life to religious service.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1256, the monks at Ely chose Hugh to be the Bishop of Ely. A bishop is a high-ranking church leader. This choice made King Henry III of England and Boniface of Savoy, the Archbishop of Canterbury, unhappy. An archbishop is an even higher church leader.
Boniface said the election was not valid. Both sides asked the Pope for help. The Pope, Alexander IV, agreed with the monks' choice. Hugh was officially made a bishop by the Pope on October 14, 1257.
His Work as Bishop
As bishop, Hugh de Balsham made rules for his church area, called a diocese. He worked to fix problems caused by royal officials and some supporters of a baron named Simon de Montfort. These problems had damaged his diocese.
Hugh also made sure the church administration worked better. He encouraged people to honor Ethelreda, a local saint of Ely. He gave gifts to the monks and churches. These actions helped him gain a good reputation as a bishop.
Founding Peterhouse College
Hugh de Balsham played a very important part in the early history of Cambridge University. In 1280, he received permission from the king to change a hospital in Cambridge. This hospital, called St John, had religious brothers living there.
Hugh wanted to replace these brothers with "studious scholars." These were students who wanted to learn. Four years later, he completely separated these scholars from the hospital. For them, Hugh founded and supported Peterhouse. This was the very first college at Cambridge. He left money to the college in his will when he died.
His Death and Burial
Hugh de Balsham died on June 16, 1286. He passed away at a manor house in Dodington. He was buried in Ely Cathedral on June 24, 1286. There is a brass plaque in a church in Balsham that some people believe shows the bishop.
