Thurstan facts for kids

This page is about Thurstan of Bayeux (1070 – 1140) who became Archbishop of York. Thurstan of Caen became the first Norman Abbot of Glastonbury in circa 1077.

Thurstan (also known as Turstin of Bayeux) was an important leader in the church during the Middle Ages. He was born around 1070 and died on February 6, 1140. Thurstan became the Archbishop of York, a very high position in the church.

He served two English kings, William II and Henry I. In 1114, he was chosen to be the Archbishop of York. However, his official ceremony, called a consecration, was delayed for five years. This was because the Archbishop of Canterbury tried to claim he was more important than the Archbishop of York.

Eventually, the Pope himself performed Thurstan's consecration. This allowed Thurstan to return to England and begin his work. As archbishop, he helped create two new bishoprics, which are areas managed by bishops. When King Henry I died, Thurstan supported Henry's nephew, Stephen of Blois, to become the new king.

Thurstan also played a big part in defending northern England. He helped organize the English army that defeated the Scots at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Not long before he died, Thurstan gave up his role as archbishop. He became a monk in the Cluniac order.

Thurstan's Early Life and Career

Thurstan was born around 1070 in Bayeux, a town in Normandy. His father, Anger, was a priest in St Paul's Cathedral in London. Thurstan's mother was named Popelina. His family moved to England before 1104.

Early in his career, Thurstan worked for both King William Rufus and King Henry I as a royal clerk. A clerk helped with official letters and records. At some point, Thurstan visited a famous monastery called Cluny and promised to become a monk there later in his life.

Thurstan also served King Henry I as his almoner. An almoner was in charge of giving money or food to the poor. King Henry I helped Thurstan get elected as Archbishop of York in August 1114. Thurstan became a deacon in December 1114 and a priest in June 1115.

Becoming Archbishop of York

When Thurstan became Archbishop, one challenge for the York church was that it didn't have many bishops working under it. Bishops who work under an archbishop are called suffragan bishops. Thurstan worked to change this.

In 1125, he helped bring back the Diocese of Galloway, which is now in Scotland. This meant York gained another suffragan bishop. This was important because the number of bishops under an archbishop showed how powerful and respected their church was.

In 1133, Thurstan received permission from the Pope to create a completely new diocese. He then appointed Æthelwold as the first bishop of the new see of Carlisle.

Thurstan also had a long disagreement with the Archbishop of Canterbury, William de Corbeil. Thurstan refused to accept that William was his superior. Both archbishops traveled to Rome twice to present their arguments to the Pope. In 1126, Pope Honorius II decided that York was not under Canterbury. The Pope found that Canterbury's documents claiming superiority were fake.

Thurstan's Role in English History

A monument at the site of the Battle of the Standard, where the troops Thurstan had mustered defeated the Scots.

After King Henry I died in 1135, Thurstan supported Stephen as the new king. He attended Stephen's first royal court. In 1138, Thurstan helped arrange a truce between England and Scotland at Roxburgh.

Thurstan was also key in gathering the army that fought the Scots at the Battle of the Standard. This battle took place on August 22, 1138, near Northallerton, Yorkshire. Thurstan himself did not fight in the battle. However, he created the special "standard" that gave the battle its name. This was a ship's mast placed on a cart, with banners of important saints hanging from it.

The Scots had invaded England to help Empress Matilda, who was King Henry I's daughter and Stephen's rival for the throne. The English army, organized by Thurstan, defeated the Scots.

On January 21, 1140, Thurstan resigned from his position as archbishop. He then joined the Cluniac monks at Pontefract. He died there on February 6, 1140, and was buried in the church at Pontefract.

Thurstan's Lasting Impact

Thurstan gave land to many churches in his area and helped start several religious communities. He founded the first nunnery in Yorkshire, called St Clement's, between 1125 and 1133. He also helped Whitby Abbey get special protection from the Pope.

Thurstan played a role in founding the Cistercian Abbey of Fountains. He gave land to monks who had been forced to leave another abbey. He also supported Hexham Priory and Bridlington Priory.

Thurstan was a true reformer. He believed that only suitable men should become bishops. When Pope Innocent II asked his opinion about a monk named Anselm becoming Bishop of London, Thurstan said Anselm was not fit for the job. Because of Thurstan's honest opinion, Anselm was not made bishop.

Historians describe Thurstan as a unique leader. He worked closely with the nobles of Yorkshire to ensure their safety and spiritual well-being. He was fully dedicated to all parts of his role. His death happened during a time of civil war in England, known as The Anarchy.

Thurstan's nephew, Osbert de Bayeux, also became an archdeacon in York. Later, in 1154, Osbert was accused of murdering William of York, who was one of Thurstan's successors as Archbishop of York.

Images for kids

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  A monument at the site of the Battle of the Standard, where the troops Thurstan had mustered defeated the Scots.