Leofgar of Hereford

Leofgar (or Leovegard; died 1056) was a medieval Bishop of Hereford.

For the early 11th century bishop of Lichfield, see Leofgar.
Leofgar
Bishop of Hereford
Appointedbefore March 1056
Term ended16 June 1056
PredecessorÆthelstan
SuccessorEaldred
Orders
ConsecrationMarch 1056
Personal details
Died16 June 1056
DenominationChristian

Leofgar was consecrated in March 1056.[1] He had previously been the chaplain to Harold Godwineson,[2] and it was probably Harold who persuaded King Edward the Confessor to appoint him to the bishopric. The appointment was disapproved of by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, mainly for the warlike character of Leofgar. However, because of the Welsh raids, and the damage the diocese had taken in the previous year, it was felt that a more martial man was needed to help protect the area.[3] Significantly, while a bishop he retained his mustache, a symbol of a warrior.[4]

Leofgar was killed by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn[5] on 16 June 1056[1] at Glasbury-on-Wye during a battle with the Welsh.[3] Along with Leofgar, many English were killed, which set back the English efforts to pacify the Welsh frontier.[6][7] After Leofgar's death, the diocese of Hereford was administered by Ealdred, who was Bishop of Worcester, until Walter of Lorraine was elected in 1060.[8]

Citations
  1. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 217
  2. Walker Harold p. 70
  3. Walker Harold pp. 80–81
  4. Walker Harold p. 120
  5. Walker Harold p. 68
  6. Barlow Edward the Confessor pp. 207–208
  7. Mason House of Godwine pp. 90–91
  8. Mason House of Godwine pp. 96

References
  • Barlow, Frank (1970). Edward the Confessor. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-01671-8.
  • 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.
  • Mason, Emma (2004). House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. London: Hambledon & London. ISBN 1-85285-389-1.
  • Walker, Ian (2000). Harold the Last Anglo-Saxon King. Gloucestershire, UK: Wrens Park. ISBN 0-905778-46-4.
Christian titles
Preceded by
Æthelstan		 Bishop of Hereford
1056		 Succeeded by
Ealdred

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