Simon of Apulia

Infobox bishopbiog
name =Simon of Apulia


religion =Catholic
See =Diocese of Exeter
Title = Bishop of Exeter
Period = 1214–1223
Predecessor = Henry Marshal
Successor =William Briwere
ordination =
bishops =
post =Dean of York
date of birth =
place of birth =
date of death =September 9 1223
place of death =

Simon of Apulia (died 1223) was a medieval canon lawyer and Bishop of Exeter.

Life

Nothing is known of his early life beyond the fact that he was a native of southern Italy and that he was a canon lawyer and a "magister".Barlow "Apulia, Simon of (d. 1223)" "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography"]

He was a canon of the cathedral chapter of York sometime before being named Chancellor of the cathedral and then Dean of York in January 1194 after a lengthy election dispute. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=10458#s10 British History Online: Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 6 York] accessed on August 31 2007] Originally, Geoffrey, Archbishop of York had wanted his brother Peter as dean, but then suggested Simon, who refused to give up his office of chancellor. Geoffrey then selected Philip of Poitou, but the cathedral chapter wanted Simon, and all parties appealed to Rome. He was appointed Dean of York by Pope Celestine III.Cheney "From Becket to Langton" p. 82]

He was elected to the see of Exeter about April 13 1214 and consecrated on October 5 1214. The see had been vacant since 1206 when Henry Marshal the previous bishop had died. However, because of King John of England's dispute with Pope Innocent III, the vacancy was not filled until a settlement was reached between John and Innocent. Simon was consecrated by Archbishop Stephen Langton at Canterbury.

Simon attended the Fourth Lateran Council, but was back in England in time to take part in King Henry III's coronation on October 28 1216. Very little of his administrative records survive, only a few documents are still extant. Simon did set out the boundaries of the parishes in the city of Exeter. He was also a benefactor to his cathedral, giving it vestments and other ornaments.

He died on September 9 1223.Fryde "Handbook of British Chronology" p. 246] He was buried in Exeter Cathedral in the lady chapel. His nephew, also named Simon, was named archdeacon of Cornwall from 1218 to 1221.

Notes

References

*
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=10458#s10 British History Online: Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 6 York] accessed on August 31 2007
*
*
* [http://faculty.cua.edu/Pennington/1140s-z.htm List of Manuscripts] accessed on August 31 2007

External links

* [http://www.dsnell.zynet.co.uk/Oliver/09.html Oliver's Lives of the Bishops of Exeter entry for Simon]
* [http://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/Gallery/Bishops/B05.html Tomb in Exeter Cathedral]

Persondata
NAME= Simon of Apulia
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Bishop of Exeter
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=September 9, 1223
PLACE OF DEATH=