Grossetete

Grossetete, Robert (d. 1253), was a Bishop of Lincoln (1235-53) noted for his reforming zeal and his energetic qualities. He was of humble birth, and was educated at Oxford and perhaps at Paris, becoming in 1224 rector of the Franciscans at Oxford. He was renowned as a preacher and an exponent of Aristotle. He held many preferments, but in 1231 resigned them all save a prebend in Lincoln cathedral. There was a difficulty about the place of his consecration in 1235, Reading being finally chosen for it. He at once set about visiting and reforming his diocese, being especially severe upon the monasteries. He was present at the signing of the Great Charter, and in 1239 he quarrelled with his Chapter as to his right of including them and then patronage in his visitations. This point was decided in his favour by the Pope, but he soon became involved in a quarrel with the Abbot of Westminster, another with the king, and another with the Chapter of Canterbury as to their powers during a vacancy of the archiepiscopal throne. In 1244 he laid the foundation of the exceptional judicial powers of the Chancellor of Oxford. In his quarrels he appealed to the Pope, and during a visit to his Holiness at Lyons he inveighed in a sermon against the corruption and venality that prevailed at the Papal Court. There is a notable letter of his extant in which he temperately, but firmly, refused to obey the Pope on a matter where he thought the latter was in the wrong. He left behind him many works both philosophical and scientific. Froude has drawn a good picture of him in his Short Studies.