Maurilius

For other uses, see Maurilio.

Maurilius (c. 1000–1067) was a Norman Archbishop of Rouen from 1055 to 1067.

Maurilius was originally from Reims, and was born about 1000. He trained as a priest at Liege and became a member of the cathedral chapter of Halberstadt.[1] He became a monk at Fecamp Abbey,[2] but then became a hermit at Vallombrosa. From there he was elected abbot of the monastery of St Marry of Florence,[2] but his austerity caused a revolt amongst the monks and he was forced to return to Fecamp.[1]

Maurilius held the office of Archbishop of Rouen from 1054, when he first occurs in documents as archbishop. The Annals of Jumieges, however, place his elevation as archbishop in 1055.[2] Maurilius succeeded Mauger, who was deposed by a council held in 1054 or 1055 at Lisieux under the guidance of a papal legate. After Mauger's deposition, Maurilius was appointed because of his support for church reform.[3] Contemporaries praised his saintly character which gained him respect from his fellow clergy.[1] He was also known for his scholarly interests and knowledge.[4] He was a benefactor of the abbeys of Saint-Ouen, Jumièges, Le Tréport, and Saint-Ymer.[5] Along with Lanfranc, he convinced the future St Anselm to take monastic vows in 1060.[6] As archbishop, he built a large church to replace Rouen Cathedral.[7][8] He also held at least one provincial synod - the 1063 Synod of Rouen, and perhaps held another ecclesiastical council sometime between 1055 and 1063.[9]

The archbishop's last appearance in documents happens in 1067, and he died in the summer of 1067.[2] His last public act was to consecrate the new abbey church at Jumièges on 1 July 1067 in the presence of Duke William, newly returned from his conquest of England in 1066.[10] Two different dates are given for Maurilius' death, with a notice of his death appearing for 11 July at the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel but Jumièges Abbey recorded his death on 9 August. He was buried in Rouen Cathedral. After his death, the archbishopric was offered to Lanfranc, who refused the office.[2]

  1. ^ a b c Douglas William the Conqueror p. 121
  2. ^ a b c d e Spear Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals pp. 196–197
  3. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 69
  4. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 128
  5. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 124
  6. ^ ODCC (2005), p. 73.
  7. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 125
  8. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 134
  9. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 131
  10. ^ Douglas William the Conqueror p. 209