Henry of Blois
Henry of Blois († August 8, 1171 ) was abbot of Glastonbury from 1126 and Bishop of Winchester from 1129 to his death. He was one of five sons of Count Stephen II of Blois and Adela of Normandy, a daughter of William the Conqueror, thus a brother of King Stephen.
Henry was brought up to the principles of the Cluniac Reform Cluny, Peter the Venerable was where one of his teachers. His uncle, the English king Henry I made him as about 25 -year-old abbot of Glastonbury, three years later as Bishop of Winchester, which was being allowed to pass the abbey on. He had ambitions for the title of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but refused to give up for the Abbey. 1139, during the reign of his brother Stephen, he was higher than the Archbishop of Canterbury classified by the Pope, so that he was regarded at that time as chief cleric of England and in the absence of his brother, the most powerful man in England was.
The relationship between Henry and Stephen, who was king in 1135, were not always stress-free. After the Battle of Lincoln ( 1141 ) Henry thought it sensible to Stephen respondent to support Matilda, with their personality, however, he did not get along. The following year he was back at his brother's side, and his successful defense of Winchester in the Battle of Winchester against Matilda was the turning point in the conflict between the two parties.
Henry of Blois was responsible for hundreds of projects, including the extensive development of Glastonbury from destruction by fire 1,185. Unlike most bishops of his time, he was interested in architecture. He completed the Winchester Cathedral and the Episcopal palace, leaving the tunnel under the cathedral building, which made it easier for pilgrims to visit the relics. The castle of Farnham ( Surrey ) Go back to him and the Hospital of Saint Cross in Winchester.
The progress of the papal classification in 1144 robbed him of much of his power. His attempts to reach an extension failed, his visit to Rome in this respect as well, but he reached on this occasion great perks for Glastonsbury and the Benedictine Order in general.
Shortly after Stephen's death and the accession of Matilda's son Henry II, he retired for three years after Cluny to his mentor Peter the Venerable, who died on Christmas Day 1156.
Henry of Blois funded under other plants and writings of William of Malmesbury, who was one of his close friends. He also encouraged the largest ever attempted Bible Illumination, an output of nearly one meter in height. This never completed Bible is issued in Winchester.
In his later years, Henry of Blois was appointed as Chairman in the case against Thomas Becket, but at the same time secretly supported Becket's family before and after his assassination.
Henry of Blois was buried in Winchester in a walk-in stone crypt in the choir.