Thomas of Bayeux
THOMAS OF BAYEUX
Archbishop of York; b. Bayeux, Normandy; d. Nov. 18, 1100. Thomas was the son of Osbert (a priest of noble family) and a clerk in the household of Bp. odo of Bayeux. Educated at Odo's expense, he attended schools in France, Germany, and Spain before being appointed treasurer of Bayeux cathedral. In 1066 he accompanied Odo to England, where he became a royal chaplain under William the Conqueror and, in 1070, archbishop-elect of york. His consecration was delayed by the dispute over the primacy of canterbury and Archbishop lanfranc's demand for a profession of obedience. The legatine council of Winchester, Easter 1072, declared in favor of Canterbury, but in 1093 Thomas refused to consecrate Lanfranc's successor, anselm, until the latter agreed to the title of metropolitan rather than primate of all England. Thomas claimed that his profession to Lanfranc had been personal and was not made ex officio.
Bibliography: hugh the chantor, The History of the Church of York, tr. c. johnson (New York 1961) 1–33.
[r. s. hoyt]