Aymer de Valence
Encyclopedia
Aymer de Valence, also known as Aymer de Lusignan or Thelmar de Valence, (c. 1222 – Paris, 5 December 1260 and buried there) was a Bishop of Winchester
around 1250.
; his mother was Isabella of Angoulême
, the second wife of King John, his father was Hugh X of Lusignan
, the count of La Marche, whom Isabelle married in 1220. He was also the uncle of Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
.
The children of Isabella's marriage came to England in 1247 in the hope of obtaining court preferment. Aymer received a prebend in the diocese of London
. In 1250 the king, by putting strong pressure upon the electors, succeeded in obtaining the election of Aymer to the see of Winchester on 4 November. The appointment was in every way unsuitable. Aymer was illiterate, ignorant of the English language, and wholly secular in his mode of life. Upon his head was concentrated the whole of the popular indignation against the foreign favourites; and he seems to have deserved this unenviable distinction. However, he received confirmation of his election to the see from Pope Innocent IV
on 14 January 1251, along with a dispensation to keep his other ecclesiastical income. At the Parliament of Oxford in 1258 he and his brothers repudiated the Provisions of Oxford
prepared by the barons. He was pursued to Winchester, besieged in Wolvesey castle
, and finally compelled to surrender and leave the kingdom. He had never been consecrated; accordingly in 1259 the chapter of Winchester proceeded to a new election. Aymer, however, gained, the support of Pope Innocent IV
; he was on his way back to England when he was overtaken by a fatal illness at Paris, having only been consecrated on 16 May 1260 before his death on 4 December 1260.
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
around 1250.
Life
Valence was a half brother of Henry III of EnglandHenry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
; his mother was Isabella of Angoulême
Isabella of Angoulême
Isabella of Angoulême was queen consort of England as the second wife of King John from 1200 until John's death in 1216. They had five children by the king including his heir, later Henry III...
, the second wife of King John, his father was Hugh X of Lusignan
Hugh X of Lusignan
Hugh X de Lusignan, Hugh V of La Marche or Hugh I of Angoulême or Hugues X & V & I de Lusignan succeeded his father Hugh IX as Seigneur de Lusignan and Count of La Marche in November, 1219 and was Count of Angoulême by marriage.Hugh X de Lusignan was betrothed to marry 12 year-old Isabel of...
, the count of La Marche, whom Isabelle married in 1220. He was also the uncle of Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke was a Franco-English nobleman. Though primarily active in England, he also had strong connections with the French royal house. One of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his age, he was a central player in the conflicts between Edward II of England and...
.
The children of Isabella's marriage came to England in 1247 in the hope of obtaining court preferment. Aymer received a prebend in the diocese of London
Diocese of London
The Anglican Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.Historically the diocese covered a large area north of the Thames and bordered the dioceses of Norwich and Lincoln to the north and west. The present diocese covers and 17 London boroughs, covering most of Greater...
. In 1250 the king, by putting strong pressure upon the electors, succeeded in obtaining the election of Aymer to the see of Winchester on 4 November. The appointment was in every way unsuitable. Aymer was illiterate, ignorant of the English language, and wholly secular in his mode of life. Upon his head was concentrated the whole of the popular indignation against the foreign favourites; and he seems to have deserved this unenviable distinction. However, he received confirmation of his election to the see from Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
on 14 January 1251, along with a dispensation to keep his other ecclesiastical income. At the Parliament of Oxford in 1258 he and his brothers repudiated the Provisions of Oxford
Provisions of Oxford
The Provisions of Oxford are often regarded as England's first written constitution ....
prepared by the barons. He was pursued to Winchester, besieged in Wolvesey castle
Wolvesey Castle
Wolvesey Castle is a ruined castle in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It was erected by the Bishop of Winchester Henry of Blois between 1130 and 1140....
, and finally compelled to surrender and leave the kingdom. He had never been consecrated; accordingly in 1259 the chapter of Winchester proceeded to a new election. Aymer, however, gained, the support of Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
; he was on his way back to England when he was overtaken by a fatal illness at Paris, having only been consecrated on 16 May 1260 before his death on 4 December 1260.