medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. October) is the feast day of:
Leger (d. 679) Leger was educated at the court of the Frankish King
Clothar II. He became abbot of Saint-Maixent in 653 and soon afterwards
bishop of Autun. In both offices, Leger was an active reformer,
introducing the Benedictine rule, building churches, holding synods,
fortifying his town, and so forth. However, Leger fell from favor thanks
to the political intrigues of Ebroin, Neustrian mayor of the palace. He
was banished to Luxeuil, restored, pursued with an army, then surrendered
to avoid bloodshed---whereupon he was blinded, mutilitated, and then
beheaded. Leger's political death was regarded as a martyrdom and his cult
spread rapidly.
Warin of Poitou (d. 679) The brother of Leger, Warin was govrnor of
Poitou. He was caught, tortured, and killed at the same time as Leger.
Thomas of Hereford (Thomas Cantelupe) (d. 1282) The English nobleman
Thomas was educated at Paris, then put on the fast-track for ecclesiastical
preferment thanks to his family connections. He held a number of church
offices (at the same time), but distinguished himself from most pluralists
by taking his various positions seriously, even visiting his vicars to make
sure they were doing their work. In 1275 he became bishop of Hereford. As
bishop, Thomas reformed his life, wearing a hairshirt, zealously doing his
job, and quarreling with Archbishop John Pecham of Canterbury. The
last-named led to Thomas' excommunication; he went to the papal court
seeking absolution, but died in Italy before receiving it. In a strong
reaction against Archbishop Pecham (who tried unsuccessfully to keep Thomas
from receiving Christian burial), Thomas' cult grew swiftly at Hereford,
aided by more than 400 alleged miracles at his tomb. He was canonized in
1320.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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