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Thomas Bek (bishop of Lincoln) facts for kids

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Thomas Bek
Bishop of Lincoln
Elected c. 1 March 1341
Reign ended 2 February 1347
Predecessor Henry Burghersh
Successor John Gynwell
Orders
Consecration 7 July 1342
Personal details
Born 1282
Died 2 February 1347
Denomination Catholic

Thomas Bek (sometimes spelled Beck) was an important church leader who lived a long time ago, from 1282 to 1347. He became the Bishop of Lincoln in 1341 and served in that role until he passed away. Being a bishop meant he was a very high-ranking official in the church during the Middle Ages.

Who Was Thomas Bek?

Thomas Bek was born in 1282. He was part of a well-known family that included other important church figures. His relatives included Antony Bek, who was the Bishop of Durham, and another Thomas Bek, who was the Bishop of St David's. This shows that his family had a history of serving in important church positions.

Becoming a Bishop

Thomas Bek was chosen to be the Bishop of Lincoln around March 1, 1341. This process was called being "elected." After being elected, he had a special ceremony called "consecration." This ceremony made his role official. His consecration took place on July 7, 1342. From that day, he officially began his duties as the Bishop of Lincoln.

What Did a Bishop Do?

During the 1300s, a bishop was a very powerful and respected person. They were in charge of a large area called a "diocese." The bishop's job was to oversee all the churches and religious activities in their diocese. They also helped manage land and people, and sometimes even advised kings. It was a role that combined religious leadership with a lot of responsibility for the community.

The Diocese of Lincoln

The Diocese of Lincoln was one of the largest and most important dioceses in England at the time. It covered a huge area, including many counties. As Bishop of Lincoln, Thomas Bek was responsible for a vast number of churches, priests, and people. He would have traveled a lot to visit different parts of his diocese.

Life and Legacy

Thomas Bek served as Bishop of Lincoln for about six years. He passed away on February 2, 1347. His time as bishop was part of a long history of church leadership in England. Even though we don't have many details about his daily life, his position was very significant in the history of the church during the 14th century.

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