Simon Mepeham
Canterbury·Merton College, Oxford
Simon Mepeham served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1328 to 1333. Educated at Oxford, he was ordained priest in 1297 and later became a prebendary and canon. His tenure as archbishop was marked by disputes over ecclesiastical rights and a rebellion against Roger Mortimer, ultimately leading to his excommunication by Pope John XXII shortly before his death.
Key Facts
- ›Educated at Merton College, Oxford between 1290 and 1296, studying theology.
- ›Ordained priest on 21 September 1297 by Archbishop Robert Winchelsey.
- ›Elected Archbishop of Canterbury on 11 December 1327.
- ›Supported a rebellion against Roger Mortimer in his first winter as archbishop.
- ›Involved in a dispute over church juridical rights with St. Augustine's Abbey.
- ›Excommunicated by Pope John XXII in 1333 for refusing to submit to Church judicial process.
About Simon Mepeham
Simon Mepeham: Archbishop of Canterbury (1328-1333)
Simon Mepeham, whose name is also recorded as Meopham or Mepham, served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1328 until his death in 1333. His early life saw him pursue theological studies at Merton College, Oxford, between 1290 and 1296. He was ordained a priest in Canterbury Cathedral on September 21, 1297, by Archbishop Robert Winchelsey, who subsequently granted him the rectory of Tunstall in Kent. Mepeham also held positions as a prebendary of Llandaff and a canon of Chichester, though he reportedly took little interest in public affairs during these years.
Archdiocesan Tenure and Tumult
Elected to the Archbishopric of Canterbury on December 11, 1327, Simon Mepeham was consecrated on June 5, 1328, and received the temporalities of the see on September 19, 1328. His time as archbishop was not without significant political and ecclesiastical challenges. During his first winter in office, he supported a rebellion against the rule of Roger Mortimer, an uprising led by the Earl of Lancaster and joined by other prominent nobles.
His governance of the archdiocese is known primarily through the writings of chroniclers William Thorne and William Dene, as Mepeham's own register is lost. He was perceived by some as lacking significant ability and ecclesiastical knowledge, and his efforts to maintain the rights of his See led to widespread disputes.
Dispute and Excommunication
A major conflict arose concerning the juridical rights of churches that had been appropriated by St. Augustine's Abbey. When the monks appealed to Rome, a Papal nuncio, Icherius de Concareto, was appointed to mediate. Mepeham's refusal to attend the proceedings before the nuncio proved to be a critical turning point. Despite the support of his suffragan bishops, his persistent refusal to submit to the Church's judicial process resulted in his excommunication by Pope John XXII in 1333. An order suspending him from divine services was issued on January 22, 1333, with excommunication to follow 30 days later if he did not comply.
Death and Legacy
Simon Mepeham died on October 12, 1333. His excommunication was rescinded posthumously, allowing him to be buried within Canterbury Cathedral. His tomb, a notable feature of black marble, is situated beneath the entrance arch to the Chapel of St. Anselm. While his tenure was marked by controversy and a lack of widespread recognition for administrative prowess, his excommunication and subsequent burial in the cathedral remain significant events in the history of the See of Canterbury.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Simon Mepeham Archbishop of Canterbury?
Simon Mepeham served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1328 until his death in 1333.
Where was Simon Mepeham educated?
Simon Mepeham was educated at Merton College, Oxford, between the years 1290 and 1296, where he studied theology.
What led to Simon Mepeham's excommunication?
Simon Mepeham was excommunicated by Pope John XXII in 1333 because he refused to attend a citation to give evidence before a Papal nuncio regarding a dispute over the juridical rights of churches appropriated by St. Augustine's Abbey.
When did Simon Mepeham die and where is he buried?
Simon Mepeham died on 12 October 1333. He is buried in Canterbury Cathedral in a tomb made of black marble beneath the entrance arch to the Chapel of St. Anselm.
What was Simon Mepeham's reputation as an archbishop?
According to the chroniclers, Mepeham was considered a "man of no great ability and with scanty knowledge of ecclesiastical tradition and propriety," and his actions caused disputes on every side regarding the rights of his See.
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