Feast of St. Hugh of Lincoln
Also
known as
- Hugh of Avalon; Hugh of Burgundy
- Memorial
17 November
-
- Links:
Son of William, Lord of Avalon. His mother Anna died when he was 8, and he
was raised and educated at a convent at Villard-Benoit. Monk at 15. Deacon
at 19. Prior of a monastery
at Saint-Maxim. Carthusian. Priest.
In 1175
he became abbot of the first English
Carthusian monastery,
which was built by King Henry II as part of his
penance for the murder of Thomas Becket.
His reputation for holiness spread through England, and attracted many
to the monastery. He admonished
Henry for keeping dioceses vacant in order to
keep their income for the throne. Resisted the
appointment, but was made bishop of Lincoln in 21 September 1181.
Restored clerical discipline in his see.
Rebuilt the Lincoln cathedral, destroyed by earthquake in 1185.
Denounced the mass persecution of Jews in England in 1190-91,
repeatedly facing down armed mobs, making them release their victims. Diplomat
to France
for King
John in 1199, a trip that ruined his
health. While attending a national council in London a few months later, he was stricken
with an unnamed ailment, and died two months later.
- Born
- 1140 @ Avalon Castle, Burgundy, France
- Died
- 16 November 1200 @ London, England;
buried in the Lincoln Cathedral
- Canonized
- 1220; first canonized Carthusian
