William Fitzstephen
Encyclopedia
William Fitzstephen died c. 1191, was a cleric and administrator in the service of Thomas Becket
, becoming a Subdeacon
in his chapel, with responsibility for perusing letters and petitions. He witnessed Becket's murder, and wrote his biography - the Vita Sancti Thomae (Life of St. Thomas).
, he gave his clerk full authority to act in his name in diocesan matters
. When Becket was forced into exile after refusing to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon
, King Henry
accepted a petition, in verse, from Fitzstephen and pardoned him from the banishment meted upon his master. When Becket was reconciled with the king Fitzstephen became his administrator once more. Fitzstephen was among those of Becket's advisors who cautioned against excommunicating Henry, as the archbishop later acknowledged.
Fitzstephen also wrote an interesting account of London
in the 12th century, which was included in Becket's biography as a preface, "Descriptio Nobilissimi Civitatis Londoniae". The three editions of this work demonstrate a continuing familiarity with the life of the city, and for this reason he is not thought to be the same "Thomas Fitzstephen" whom Henry appointed to be Sheriff
of Gloucester
and itinerant justice in 1171.
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
, becoming a Subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
in his chapel, with responsibility for perusing letters and petitions. He witnessed Becket's murder, and wrote his biography - the Vita Sancti Thomae (Life of St. Thomas).
Relations with Becket
Fitzstephen had been Becket's personal, household clerk for ten years and, when the prelate became Chancellor of EnglandLord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
, he gave his clerk full authority to act in his name in diocesan matters
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. When Becket was forced into exile after refusing to sign the Constitutions of Clarendon
Constitutions of Clarendon
The Constitutions of Clarendon were a set of legislative procedures passed by Henry II of England in 1164. The Constitutions were composed of 16 articles and represent an attempt to restrict ecclesiastical privileges and curb the power of the Church courts and the extent of Papal authority in England...
, King Henry
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...
accepted a petition, in verse, from Fitzstephen and pardoned him from the banishment meted upon his master. When Becket was reconciled with the king Fitzstephen became his administrator once more. Fitzstephen was among those of Becket's advisors who cautioned against excommunicating Henry, as the archbishop later acknowledged.
Fitzstephen also wrote an interesting account of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the 12th century, which was included in Becket's biography as a preface, "Descriptio Nobilissimi Civitatis Londoniae". The three editions of this work demonstrate a continuing familiarity with the life of the city, and for this reason he is not thought to be the same "Thomas Fitzstephen" whom Henry appointed to be Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
and itinerant justice in 1171.