Simon of Apulia

Simon of Apulia (died 1223) was an Italian-born canon lawyer who served as Bishop of Exeter in Devon, England, from 1214 until his death in 1223.

Simon of Apulia
Bishop of Exeter
Simon, Bishop of Exeter (died 1223); from his tomb at Exeter, showing rich mass-vestments.
ChurchCatholic
DioceseExeter
Electedc. 13 April 1214
Term ended9 September 1223
PredecessorHenry Marshal
SuccessorWilliam Briwere
Other post(s)Dean of York
Orders
Consecration5 October 1214
Personal details
Died9 September 1223 (1223-09-10)
BuriedExeter Cathedral

Life

Nothing is known of Simon's early life beyond the fact that he was a native of southern Italy and that he was a canon lawyer and a magister.[1]

Simon was a canon of the cathedral chapter of York some time before being named Chancellor of the cathedral and then Dean of York in January 1194 after a lengthy election dispute.[2] 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.[1] He was appointed Dean of York by Pope Celestine III.[3]

Simon was elected to the see of Exeter about 13 April 1214 and consecrated on 5 October 1214.[4] 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 Pope Innocent. Simon was consecrated by Archbishop Stephen Langton at Canterbury.[1]

Simon attended the Fourth Lateran Council, but was back in England in time to take part in King Henry III's coronation on 28 October 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.[1]

Simon died on 9 September 1223.[4] He was buried in Exeter Cathedral in the lady chapel. His nephew, also named Simon, was named archdeacon of Cornwall from 1218 to 1221.[1]

Citations
  1. Barlow "Apulia, Simon of" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  2. Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Deans
  3. Cheney From Becket to Langton p. 82
  4. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 246

References
  • Barlow, Frank (2004). "Apulia, Simon of". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/94380. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  • Cheney, C. R. (1956). From Becket to Langton: English Church Government 1170–1213 (Reprint ed.). Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. OCLC 5213024.
  • Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology (Third revised ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-56350-X.
  • Greenway, Diana E. (1999). "Deans". Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300. Vol. 6: York. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
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