Robert Bloet facts for kids

Robert Bloet (who sometimes spelled his name Robert Bloett) was an important leader in England. He served as the Bishop of Lincoln from 1093 to 1123. He was also the Chancellor of England, a top royal advisor.

Robert Bloet came from a noble family in Normandy. He started his career working for King William I. Later, he became a close advisor to William I's sons, King William II and King Henry I. Bloet helped make Lincoln Cathedral more beautiful. He also gave a lot of money and land to his cathedral and other religious places. He was known for educating young noblemen, including some of King Henry I's children. He also supported Henry of Huntingdon, a famous writer from the Middle Ages, and Gilbert of Sempringham, who started a special group of monks and nuns called the Gilbertine Order.

Early Life and Family Connections

Robert Bloet was part of a powerful Norman family. This family controlled an area called Ivry-la-Bataille in Normandy.

He was related to other important church leaders. These included Hugh, who was the Bishop of Bayeux, and John, who was the Bishop of Avranches. Another relative was Richard Bloet, who was the Abbot of St Albans Abbey.

Serving as Chancellor and Bishop

Robert Bloet began his career as a royal clerk. This meant he worked for King William I. After William I died, Bloet traveled with his son, William Rufus, to England. William Rufus was going to become King William II.

King William II made Bloet his Chancellor in 1091. This was a very important job, like being a chief minister. Then, in March 1093, the King appointed Bloet to be the Bishop of Lincoln. This happened when the King was very sick and feared he might die. Bloet was made bishop at the same time as Anselm became the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Bloet became a bishop in February 1094. Soon after, William Giffard took over as Chancellor.

Before Bloet became bishop, there was a disagreement. The Archbishop of York, Thomas of Bayeux, claimed that part of the Lincoln area belonged to York. Some writers at the time said Bloet paid the King a large sum of money. This payment helped Bloet win the dispute. The King then gave other lands to York to settle the matter.

Bloet also had a disagreement with Archbishop Anselm. Bloet did not want to promise to obey Anselm. But King William II told him he had to, so Bloet eventually agreed.

As Bishop of Lincoln, Bloet was one of the King's main officers. He worked closely with other powerful figures like Ranulf Flambard. Bloet also moved a monastery from Stow to Eynsham. The bishops of Lincoln had special control over this church. Bloet also gave land to the priory of Bermondsey. This priory became a Cluniac monastery during King William II's rule.

Even as a bishop, Bloet continued to help the King. He witnessed many royal documents. In 1097, he tried to convince Archbishop Anselm not to travel to Rome. When Anselm refused, the King ordered him to leave England. Most bishops and nobles supported the King in this decision.

Working for King Henry I

After King William II died, his brother Henry I became king. Robert Bloet continued to be a trusted advisor to King Henry I. He supported Henry during a rebellion in 1102. Bloet even led an army to attack Tickhill Castle. The castle surrendered when King Henry joined him with more soldiers.

King Henry I and Archbishop Anselm had a disagreement about who could appoint church leaders. This was called the Investiture controversy. King Henry asked Bloet to consecrate some abbots (leaders of monasteries) in 1102 and 1103.

Bloet remained a close advisor to King Henry throughout his reign. He often advised the Queen when the King was away from England. Bloet also served as a royal judge. He traveled all over England to hear legal cases. He witnessed 155 royal documents during Henry's time as king.

In 1109, a new bishopric (area led by a bishop) was created at Ely. This new area was taken from Bloet's diocese. Bloet received land, including the town of Spaldwick, as compensation. In 1123, Bloet was one of the advisors who urged King Henry to appoint William of Corbeil as Archbishop of Canterbury. Bloet did not want a monk to be appointed to that important position.

Bloet also helped St Albans Abbey. His relative Richard was the abbot there. Bloet doubled the number of canons (priests) in Lincoln Cathedral. He also made the cathedral more beautiful and gave it many gifts. Most of his surviving documents as bishop are about consecrating churches or confirming gifts to religious houses. He also founded a hospital in Lincoln called the Holy Sepulchre.

A medieval writer named Henry of Huntingdon, who knew Bloet well, wrote about Bloet feeling he had lost the King's favor near the end of his life. Bloet supposedly lost two lawsuits. However, these losses did not seem to affect his wealth or importance much. He continued to witness royal documents at the same rate. It seems he may have lost some favor, but not completely.

Death and Lasting Impact

Robert Bloet had a son named Simon. Simon later became the Dean of Lincoln. The writer Henry of Huntingdon grew up in Bloet's household.

Robert Bloet died on January 10, 1123, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. He was buried in Lincoln. He had a sudden collapse while riding with King Henry and Roger of Salisbury, the Bishop of Salisbury. He died shortly after collapsing into the King's arms. His last words were "Lord king, I am dying." His internal organs were buried at Eynsham, but the rest of his body was buried in Lincoln Cathedral.

Henry of Huntingdon wrote that noble families sent their children to be educated in Bloet's home. This was true whether the children were going to work in the church or not. King Henry's son, Robert of Gloucester, was educated by Bloet. Another of Henry's sons, Richard of Lincoln, also studied in Bloet's household. Gilbert of Sempringham, who founded the Gilbertine Order, also received his education there. Bloet also trained his own clergy. He even sent some of them to study with Ivo, the Bishop of Chartres.

Bloet was known for living in a grand style. He also personally fought in wars when needed. Henry of Huntingdon remembered him as handsome, cheerful, and friendly.