Simon of Apulia

Simon of Apulia (died 1223) was an Italian-born canon lawyer who served as Bishop of Exeter in Devon, England, from 1214 until his death in 1223.

Simon of Apulia
Bishop of Exeter
Arms of Simon of Apulia: Azure, three mitres or[1]
Electedc. 13 April 1214
Term ended9 September 1223
PredecessorHenry Marshal
SuccessorWilliam Briwere
Other postsDean of York
Orders
Consecration5 October 1214
Personal details
Died9 September 1223 (1223-09-10)
BuriedExeter Cathedral
DenominationCatholic

Life

Nothing is known of Simon's early life beyond the fact that he was a native of southern Italy and that he was a canon lawyer and a magister.[2]

Simon was a canon of the cathedral chapter of York sometime before being named Chancellor of the cathedral and then Dean of York in January 1194 after a lengthy election dispute.[3] Originally, Geoffrey, Archbishop of York had wanted his brother Peter as dean, but then suggested Simon, who refused to give up his office of chancellor. Geoffrey then selected Philip of Poitou, but the cathedral chapter wanted Simon, and all parties appealed to Rome.[2] He was appointed Dean of York by Pope Celestine III.[4]

Simon was elected to the see of Exeter about 13 April 1214 and consecrated on 5 October 1214.[5] The see had been vacant since 1206 when Henry Marshal the previous bishop had died. However, because of King John of England's dispute with Pope Innocent III, the vacancy was not filled until a settlement was reached between John and Innocent. Simon was consecrated by Archbishop Stephen Langton at Canterbury.[2]

Simon attended the Fourth Lateran Council, but was back in England in time to take part in King Henry III's coronation on 28 October 1216. Very little of his administrative records survive, only a few documents are still extant. Simon did set out the boundaries of the parishes in the city of Exeter. He was also a benefactor to his cathedral, giving it vestments and other ornaments.[2]

Simon died on 9 September 1223.[5] He was buried in Exeter Cathedral in the lady chapel. His nephew, also named Simon, was named archdeacon of Cornwall from 1218 to 1221.[2]

Citations
  1. "Izacke", quoted in George Oliver, Lives of the Bishops of Exeter, Exeter, 1861, p.34 namely Izacke, Richard (c.1624–1698), (improved and continued to the year 1724 by Samuel Izacke), Remarkable Antiquities of the City of Exeter, 3rd Edition, London, 1731, A Perfect Catalogue of all the Bishops of this Church ... together with the Coats of Armory and Mottoes Described, pp.25-50
  2. Barlow "Apulia, Simon of" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  3. Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Deans
  4. Cheney From Becket to Langton p. 82
  5. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 246

References
  • Barlow, Frank (2004). "Apulia, Simon of (d. 1223)" ((subscription or UK public library membership required)). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (May 2007 revised ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/94380. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  • Cheney, C. R. (1956). From Becket to Langton: English Church Government 1170–1213 (Reprint ed.). Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. OCLC 5213024.
  • 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.
  • Greenway, Diana E. (1999). Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Deans. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Henry Marshal		 Bishop of Exeter
1214–1223		 Succeeded by
William Briwere
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