St hugh of lincoln biography

Not to be muddleheaded with Little Saint Hugh objection Lincoln

Saint Hugh of Lincoln OCart
St Hugh of Lincoln with fillet swan Altarpiece showing the saint unplanned the Carthusian habit from character Charterhouse of Saint-Honoré, Thuison, at hand Abbeville, France (c. 1490-1500)
Born	c. 1140[1][2][3] Avalon, Holy Romanist Empire
Died	(1200-11-16)16 November 1200 (aged 59–60)[4] London, England
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion
Canonized	17 February 1220 by Pope Honorius III
Major shrine	St Mary's Cathedral Lincoln, England Parkminster Charterhouse West Sussex
Feast	16 November (Catholic Church) 17 Nov (Church of England)
Attributes	a white aver, bishop's attire, holding a drink from which Christ emerges
Patronage	sick descendants, sick people, cobblers, swans, paramount the Roman Catholic Diocese reminiscent of Nottingham

Hugh of LincolnOCart (c. 1140^{[note 1]} – 16 November 1200), as well known as Hugh of Avalon, was a Burgundian-born Carthusian anchoress, bishop of Lincoln in rendering Kingdom of England, and Catholicsaint.

His feast is observed saturate Catholics on 16 November gift by Anglicans on 17 Nov.

Biography

Hugh was born in illustriousness Alpine village of Avalon, Stately Burgundy, in what was verification the Holy Roman Empire, near what is today southeastern Writer. ^[5][2] Hugh’s father Guillaume was the sieur d’Avalon, making him a knight enmeshed in pure web of feudal obligations meaningful ultimately to the Holy Romanist Emperor.

Hugh's mother, Anne session Theys, enjoyed a reputation glossy magazine kindness and was known goslow wash the sores of lepers (employing young Hugh to comprehend the towels). She died in the way that Hugh was about 8 stage old.^[6]

Upon the death of Hugh's mother, his father sent him to the nearby community dear Canons Regular of St.

Theologizer at Villarbenoît (sometimes Villard-Benoît)^[7] know receive a religious education, maybe in the company of attention sons of the nobility. Hugh's father, presumably brokenhearted and war-weary, also retired to the district shortly thereafter – entrusting top lands to the care make a rough draft his two eldest sons (Guillaume and Pierre) who were fanatical to continue the martial tradition.^[8][9]

At the age of 15, Hugh made his profession pass for a Canon Regular (with honesty rank of novice).

He was ordained a deacon at class age of 19.^[10][11] Shortly next, he was sent to grandeur tiny parish of Saint-Maximin arrangement assist an elderly parish clergyman who could only just power to perform church services however needed support for everything else.^[12] Hugh remained subject to description prior of the small citizens of Canons Regular centered pseudo Villarbenoît (which had 12 inmates at that time).^[13] Canons Accustomed were not exactly monks, however were essentially communities of priests (and their subordinates) abiding wishywashy a monastic rule, usually representation Rule of St.

Augustine. Salary their mission, David Hugh Husbandman writes that:

[T]hey provided out worthy way of life which was neither that of class ordinary priest nor that signal your intention the monk... Their chosen submission was to restore what confidential been neglected, to rebuild what had decayed in the have a go of the Church.

The carefulness of parishes, education, nursing probity sick, the refurbishing of finished shrines and churches: these were their normal activities wherever they were found. In their improper and humdrum obscurity they conclude necessary tasks which others esoteric relinquished. Seldom large or renowned, these communities did not regularly produce bishops, scholars or splendid saints.^[6]

While Hugh enjoyed ministering stopper the community, he ultimately requisite a more contemplative existence offered only in the cloistered elbowroom of a secluded monastery.

Arm, for this purpose, there was none better than the horn into which he and glory Prior of Villarbenoît walked tending fateful day: the Grande Green (20 km north of Grenoble), the Mother House of probity Carthusian order. Adam of Eynsham, Hugh's hagiographer, tells us turn this way Hugh:

[G]azed with awe at that place, situated almost in rank clouds and close to probity sky, far removed from righteousness turmoil of almost all worldly things.

He realized the giant opportunity it offered of livelihood alone with God, for which aim existed the rich category of books, the long twelve o\'clock noon devoted to reading and goodness unbroken silence of prayer. Decency whole arrangement of the convent seemed to be designed fair for this. He observed nobility physical austerities of the monks, their peace of mind, their liberty of spirit, their enliven demeanour and simplicity of diction.

They had separate cells nevertheless their purpose was one. They combined solitude with community sentience. Each lived alone lest subside should be hindered by alternative, but each lived in people so that none should scarcity brotherly help.^[14]

And thus, in 1163, Hugh left the small group of Canons Regular of Limitless.

Augustine at Villarbenoît to make a Carthusian monk at integrity Grande Chartreuse. He spent nobleness bulk of his 20s be next to prayer and contemplation and was during that time ordained clean up priest. In his early 30s, he was made procurator, honest for all of the state affairs of the monastery. Make something stand out nearly a decade in that office, Hugh had (unwittingly) civil a reputation for efficiency champion piety that reached far tell wide – even across blue blood the gentry channel to Henry II female England.

The Count of Marienne, whom Henry had employed back to front a marriage embassy and whose lands were near the Grande Chartreuse, extolled the virtues invite the Carthusians to the Out of control. And, according to Adam endorsement Eynsham, he was particularly wasteful in his praise of Hugh:

You will find united in that one individual all the tolerance, courtesy, courage, gentleness and assail virtues possible in any physical man.

His presence will disturb nobody, he will not suspect shunned as a foreigner, relatively everyone will treat him importance a neighbour, as an a mixture of friend or as a monk. He loves the whole in the flesh race like himself: his plentiful charity cherishes all men.^[6]

Henry misunderstand himself in need of specified a person.

In 1170, Rhetorician II had (intentionally or otherwise) precipitated the death of crown one-time friend, the Archbishop goods Canterbury, Thomas Becket. This was a sin for which stylishness famously suffered himself to nominate scourged (flogged), but part put his penance also involved description foundation of three monastic abodes in England (possibly in set up of going on crusade which he had initially promised nod to do).

One of these threesome monastic houses was a Order house (corrupted in English space 'charterhouse'), the Witham Charterhouse,^[15]Somerset, which had been established by adroit group of monks sent outsider the Grande Chartreuse in 1178/79. It was, however, facing indefinite difficulties.^[16] The first prior (Narbert) found he was not slang to the task and considering that the second prior (Hamon) properly unexpectedly very little had back number accomplished.^[17] And so Henry II, hearing of Hugh's reputation specify the Count of Maurienne, conveyed for Hugh to be say publicly third prior of Witham Buddhism vihara.

To become the prior oppress the first Carthusian monastery distort England was a great accept, but for Hugh it was an honor he could at the appointed time without. To him it titular only a distraction from request and contemplation. The prior pay money for the Grande Chartreuse Guigo II also opposed the nomination.^[18][19] Likeness took the combined efforts be fond of the Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Rector of Bath (in whose episcopate Witham Charterhouse, Somerset, was located), and Jean de Sassenage, Reverend of Grenoble (in whose bishopric the Grande Chartreuse was located), to compel Hugh to select.

Thus, Hugh set piece for England and reached Witham in 1179.^[20] Upon arrival, fiasco found the monks in loving straits, living in wattled huts and with no plans hitherto advanced for the construction pick up the tab more substantial monastery buildings. Rendering establishment of the monastery difficult to understand entailed the displacement of bestow of peasants for whom diminutive provision had been made contemporary who were, consequently, inhospitable.

Ethics Carthusian monks were also isolated from content, complaining bitterly good buy the lack of building property, money, and supplies promised unexpected them. Hugh took these challenges, like all things, as boss test. Henry was at make certain time at a manor skin texture hunting lodge (presumably in away Selwood Forest) and thither Hugh went with a company out-and-out monks.

Instead of finding drawback with Henry, as one describe his monastic companions had decrepit, he told the king:

I imitate not lost confidence in order around, lord king. Rather do Rabid sympathize with you because like this many occupations and distractions ban you concerning yourself with your soul’s salvation.

You are certainly very busy, but with God’s help you will complete illustriousness good work you have begun.^[6]

The intercession was successful and reading began to proceed apace. Hugh's first attention focused on class building of the Charterhouse. Elegance prepared his plans and submitted them for royal approbation, meticulous full compensation from the wage war for any tenants on rectitude royal estate who would own acquire to be evicted to trade mark room for the building.^[18] Hugh presided over the new abode until 1186, attracting many highlight the community.

Among the recurring visitors was King Henry, affection the charterhouse lay near influence borders of the king's hire in Selwood Forest, a pledge hunting-ground.

In 1186, Henry summoned a council of bishops move barons at Eynsham Abbey swing by deliberate on the state grounding the Church and on birth filling of vacant bishoprics, as well as Lincoln.

On 25 May nobleness cathedral chapter of Lincoln was ordered to elect a fresh bishop, and Hugh was elected.^[5] Hugh insisted on a alternative, private election by the canons, securely in their chapterhouse utilize Lincoln rather than in decency king's chapel - the adhere to confirmed his election.

Lincoln was the largest diocese in England, encompassing some 9 counties.

Hugh was consecrated Bishop of Attorney on 21 September 1186^[21] downy Westminster.^[5] Almost immediately he historic his independence of the envelop, excommunicating a royal forester ahead refusing to seat one call upon Henry's courtly nominees as uncut prebendary of Lincoln; he soften the king's anger by wreath diplomatic address and tactful cajole.

After the excommunications, he came upon the king hunting scold was greeted with dour quiescence. He waited several minutes sit the king called for clean up needle to sew up dialect trig leather bandage on his shot. Eventually Hugh said, with kindly mockery, "How much you cause to remember me of your cousins possess Falaise" (where William I's unattached mother Herleva, a tanner's maid, had come from).

At that Henry just burst out chortling and was reconciled.^[22]

As a vicar, Hugh was exemplary, constantly whitehead residence or traveling within diocese, generous with his generosity, and scrupulous in the equipment he made. He raised representation quality of education at rectitude cathedral school.

Hugh was very prominent in trying to harbour the Jews, great numbers splash whom lived in Lincoln, get round the persecution they suffered pull somebody's leg the beginning of Richard I's reign (1189-1199), and he instructive down popular violence against them – as later occurred next the 1255 death of Tiny Saint Hugh of Lincoln – in several places.^[22]

An earthquake abstruse badly damaged Lincoln Cathedral advance 1185, and Hugh set look over rebuilding and greatly enlarging honourableness structure in the new Exaggeration style; however, he only momentary to see the choir petit mal begun.

In 1194, he (re)built St Mary Magdalen's Church, University. Along with Bishop Herbert behoove Salisbury, Hugh resisted the king's demand for 300 knights financial assistance a year's service in queen French wars; the entire yield of both men's offices was then seized by royal agents.^[23]

As one of the premier bishops of the Kingdom of England Hugh more than once usual the role of diplomat survive France for King Richard settle down then for King John walk heavily 1199, a trip that decrepit his health.

He consecrated Ransack Giles' Church, Oxford, in 1200. There is a cross consisting of interlaced circles cut befall the western column of position tower that is believed halt commemorate this.^[24] Also in ceremonial of the consecration, St Giles' Fair was established and continues to take place each Sept to this day.^[25] While attendance a national council in Writer, a few months later, Hugh was stricken with an unknown ailment and died two months later on 16 November 1200.^[21][26] He was buried in Lawyer Cathedral.

Bishop Hugh was faithful for the building of class first (wooden) Bishop's Palace recoil Buckden in Huntingdonshire, halfway halfway Lincoln and London. Later decoration to the Palace were further substantial, and a tall bay tower was added in 1475, protected by walls and straight moat, and surrounded by small outer bailey.

It was stimulated by the bishops until 1842. The Palace, now known orangutan Buckden Towers, is owned encourage the Claretians and is secondhand as a retreat and dialogue centre. A Catholic church, enthusiastic to Saint Hugh, stands travelling fair the site.

Veneration

Hugh was authorised by Pope Honorius III stay on the line 17 February 1220,^[5] and keep to the patron saint of off colour children, sick people, cobblers, famous swans.

Hugh is honoured engross the Church of England sign up a Lesser Festival^[27] and reside in the Episcopal Church (USA) stack 17 November.

Hugh's Vita, quality written life, was composed indifferent to his chaplain Adam of Eynsham, a Benedictine monk and crown constant associate; it remains organize manuscript form in the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

Hugh admiration the eponym of St Hugh's College, Oxford, where a 1926 statue of the saint stands on the stairs of nobility Howard Piper Library. In coronate right hand, he holds settle effigy of Lincoln Cathedral, allow his left hand rests appraise the head of a avow.

At Avalon, a round belfry in the Romantic Gothic methodology was built by the Carthusians in 1895 in Hugh's relate to on the site of high-mindedness castle where he was born.^[28]

Iconography

Hugh's primary emblem is a chalky swan, in reference to significance story of the swan be fitting of Stow, Lincolnshire (site of boss palace of the bishops admonishment Lincoln) which had a broad and lasting friendship with significance saint, even guarding him long-standing he slept.

The swan would follow him about, and was his constant companion while powder was at Lincoln. Hugh luxurious all the animals in nobleness monastery gardens, especially a undomesticated swan that would eat distance from his hand and follow him about, and yet the assert would attack anyone else who came near Hugh.^[29]

Legacy

Both Buckden Towers, and the local Roman Comprehensive Church in nearby St Neots, are administered by the Claretians.^[30] In Lincoln, there is character Roman Catholic St Hugh's Religion.

There are many parish churches dedicated to St Hugh rob Lincoln throughout England including interpretation Church of St Hugh flaxen Lincoln in Letchworth founded unwelcoming Adrian Fortescue.

A number call upon churches are dedicated to Example Hugh of Lincoln in distinction United States. These include Measures Hugh of Lincoln Roman Vast Church, Huntington Station, New York^[29] and St Hugh of Lawyer Roman Catholic Church in Metropolis, Wisconsin,^[31] St Hugh Roman Broad Church and School in Manage Grove, Miami, Florida.^[32] There shoot also Episcopal churches dedicated skin him in Elgin, Illinois;^[33] arena Allyn, Washington.^[34]

In 2018 St Hugh was made a subject stand for the BBC Radio 4 scene The Man who bit Habitual Magdalene by Colin Bytheway, chief honcho David Jason as the parson in search of relics wind would help in the constituent of Lincoln Cathedral.

References

Attribution:

Notes

Sources

External links

12th-century Bishop of Lincoln and saint