Reginald of Bar (bishop of Metz)

Rainald of Bar († May 4, 1316 ) was from 1302 until his death, Bishop of Metz.

Life and work

Rainald was the son of Theobald II, Count of Bar and Jeanne de Toucy. The bishop of Liege, Theobald of Bar was his brother. Rainald had benefice in Beauvais, Cambrai, Laon, Metz, Reims and Verdun. He was archdeacon before 1296 in Brussels and from 1299 in Besancon, 1301 primicerius in Metz and 1302 provost of St. Madeleine in Verdun. The cathedral chapter of Metz in 1302 he was elected bishop, but this was not recognized by Pope Boniface VIII, who claimed the right to appoint the Bishop of Metz itself. On September 19, 1302 then appointed Boniface Rainald Bishop of Metz. To reduce the debt of the diocese Rainald mortgaged the castles Conde and Conflans. He had conflicts of Metz and the cathedral chapter, which in 1308 sued him for his administration. The monasteries of St. Arnulf and Gorze were reformed by him. In 1306 he moved his residence to Vic- sur- seille 1312 he took part in the Council of Vienne. After the death of his brother, Count Henry III. Rainald of Bar was guardian of his underage nephew Edward.