Jocelin of Wells

Jocelin of Wells
Bishop of Bath (previously of Bath and Glastonbury)
Elected3 February 1206
PredecessorSavaric FitzGeldewin
SuccessorRoger of Salisbury
Other post(s)canon of Wells
Orders
Consecration26 May 1206
by William of Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Personal details
Died12 November 1242
Wells
BuriedWells Cathedral

Jocelin of Wells[a] (died 19 November 1242) was a medieval Bishop of Bath (and Glastonbury). He was the brother of Hugh de Wells, who became Bishop of Lincoln. Jocelin became a canon of Wells Cathedral before 1200, and was elected bishop in 1206. During King John of England's dispute with Pope Innocent III, Jocelin at first remained with the king, but after the excommunication of John in late 1209, Jocelin went into exile. He returned to England in 1213, and was mentioned in Magna Carta in 1215.

Jocelin was one of the bishops that crowned John's son Henry III, and throughout the rest of Jocelin's life was involved in royal administration. He was also active in his diocese, ordering construction on the cathedral at Wells, and issuing rules for his diocesan clergy. During his time as bishop, he settled a dispute between his diocese and Glastonbury Abbey that had started during the bishopric of his predecessor. The memorial brass on his tomb in Wells Cathedral is probably one of the earliest in England.

  1. ^ Dunning Somerset Miscellany pp. 28–29


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