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Biography
Biography
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Lanfranc, (Archbishop of Canterbury)

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 Borncirca 1005   Born AtPavia, Italy
 Died1089  Buried AtCanterbury Cathedral
 Borncirca 1005 / Pavia, Italy
 Died1089 / Canterbury Cathedral
anfranc was an Italian who was born in Pavia in 1005 (1010?) and trained in law. In 1040 he travelled to Normandy to become a Benedictine monk at the abbey of Bec where he opened a school at which he taught. His fame as a teacher grew steadily and pupils from all over Europe came to Bec to be taught by him. In 1062 Lanfanc's abilities were noticed by William of Normandy who made him the abbot for William's abbey of St. Stephen at Caen. In 1070 shortly after the Norman Conquest which resulted in William becoming King of England, Lanfranc moved to England. When Archbishop Stigand was deposed by a Church Council and excommunicated, Lanfranc was appointed the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Lanfranc was highly regarded by King William and when William had to go back to Normandy to put down rebellions Lanfranc was trusted to run England in his place. Lanfranc held several great Councils that changed and shaped the English Church including the reorganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics and Canterbury being confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York. The Archbishop died just a year after King William.

Event Location Map (click image to explore)

 

Family Tree Details

 Lanfranc, (Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1005? - d.1089)
 Lanfranc,  (Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1005? - d.1089)

See Also

People

  • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
  • Stigand, (Archbishop of Canterbury)
  • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
  • Gundulf
  • Anselm, (Archbishop of Canterbury)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • Salisbury Cathedral
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Other

  • Normandy

Timeline

1040    (Age: 35yrs)
...
Lanfranc arrives at Bec

Lanfranc, who had trained as a law student in northen Italy had crossed the Alps several years earlier. In this year he arrived at the religious community at Bec situated a few milles to the south west of Rouen in Normandy. The name Bec being derived from the name of the stream that ran through the complex of buildings.

1045    (Age: 40yrs)
...
Lanfranc becomes prior of Bec

Lanfranc became prior of the Abbey of Bec where he taught law,

1063    (Age: 58yrs)
...
Lanfranc became Abbot at Caen

With the support of William of Normandy, Lanfranc was put forward as a candidate for the abbacy of the William's Abbey of St. Etienne. He was appointed to the position. At Bec, Anselm was appointed to the position of prior,

1070    (Age: 65yrs)
...
Lanfranc becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

William the Conqueror placed Lanfranc in the position of Archbishop of Canterbury a move designed to strengthen his hold on the English throne. Thomas of Bayeux, a pupil of William's brother Odo, was put in the position of Archbishop of York after the death of Ealred who died on September 11th, 1069. Archbishop Stigand was imprisoned in Winchester.

1071    (Age: 66yrs)
(to 1077)
Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt by Lanfranc

Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt at this time by Archbishop Lanfranc. The Cathedral was based on the design of his abbey in Caen.

1072    (Age: 67yrs)
Feb
Council of Winchester

Lanfranc held a Church council at Winchester where the reorganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics was confirmed. Canterbury was also confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York.

1075    (Age: 70yrs)
...
Council of London

At the Council of London Archbishop Lanfranc instigated the movement of many English Bishoprics to more important locations. One of these was the Bishopric of Sherborne and Wilton which moved to Old Sarum.

1087    (Age: 82yrs)
Sep 26
William II (Rufus) crowned at Westminster

William Rufus was crowned at Westminster Abbey by Archbishop Lanfranc after the death of his father William the Conqueror.

1088    (Age: 83yrs)
Spring
William Rufus calls for support

William Rufus had insufficient men at his disposal to deal with the rebellion in the south-east as there were too many ports to guard. The King called the representatives of the fyrd (the ordinary people of the country organised into an army) to a meeting in London where, with the support Lanfranc, he promised the people better laws and the removal of unfair taxes if they supported him against the rebels. The people agreed and together with the King they captured the castle at Tonbridge after a two day siege. ¹

1089    (Age: 84yrs)
May 24
Lanfranc dies

After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes.

1093
...
Anselm Becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 succeeding Lanfranc. The post of Archbishop of Canterbury had been held open by William Rufus so that he could collect for himself the church's income. Anselm died in 1109.

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. H.W.C.Davis, England under the Normans and Angevins, 1949

    See Also

    People

    • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
    • Stigand, (Archbishop of Canterbury)
    • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
    • Gundulf
    • Anselm, (Archbishop of Canterbury)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Canterbury Cathedral
    • Salisbury Cathedral
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Other

    • Normandy
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