Alan of Tewkesbury
Encyclopedia
Alan, Abbot of Tewkesbury (date of birth unknown) is said by Gervase of Canterbury
(contemporary chronicler) to be of English (i.e. non-Norman
) descent. He probably spent some time at Benevento
(Italy). Became a monk at Canterbury
, rising to prior
in 1179. In the struggle between Thomas of Canterbury and Henry II
, he was a strong supporter of Thomas. As a result, he went to Tewkesbury
as abbot where he was out of Henry's way.
His works are written about in Life of St. Thomas printed (as Life of Becket) in the second volume of Materials for the History of Thomas Becket, edited by the Rev. J. C. Robertson (Rolls Series
, London,; 1875–85; Part I, CXC, 1475–88).
He also collected and arranged a number of Thomas' epistles.
Gervase of Canterbury
Gervase of Canterbury was an English chronicler.- Life :...
(contemporary chronicler) to be of English (i.e. non-Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
) descent. He probably spent some time at Benevento
Benevento
Benevento is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 km northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 m above sea-level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino and Sabato...
(Italy). Became a monk at Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
, rising to prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
in 1179. In the struggle between Thomas of Canterbury and Henry II
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
, he was a strong supporter of Thomas. As a result, he went to Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury Abbey
The Abbey of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Tewkesbury in the English county of Gloucestershire is the second largest parish church in the country and a former Benedictine monastery.-History:...
as abbot where he was out of Henry's way.
His works are written about in Life of St. Thomas printed (as Life of Becket) in the second volume of Materials for the History of Thomas Becket, edited by the Rev. J. C. Robertson (Rolls Series
Rolls Series
The Rolls Series, official title The Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, is a major collection of British and Irish historical materials and primary sources, published in the second half of the 19th century. Some 255 volumes, representing 99 separate...
, London,; 1875–85; Part I, CXC, 1475–88).
He also collected and arranged a number of Thomas' epistles.