Nicholas of Worcester

Nicholas
The crypt of Worcester Cathedral, one of the few surviving parts of the building which date to Nicholas's time
Diocese	Worcester
Elected	c. 1116
Predecessor	Thomas
Successor	Warin
Personal details
Died	24 June 1124

Nicholas of Worcester (died 24 June 1124) was the prior of the Benedictine priory of Worcester Cathedral from about 1116 until his death. He was born around the time of the Norman Conquest. It is not known who his parents were, but the twelfth-century historian William of Malmesbury wrote that he was "of exalted descent",^[1] and the historian Emma Mason argues that he was a son of King Harold Godwinson.

Nicholas was the favourite pupil of Wulfstan, the bishop of Worcester, who brought him up. Wulfstan, the last surviving Anglo-Saxon bishop, lived until 1095. He was influential in transmitting Old English culture to Anglo-Norman England. Nicholas carried on this work as prior, and he was highly respected by the leading chroniclers, William of Malmesbury, John of Worcester and Eadmer, who acknowledged his assistance in their histories. Several letters to and from Nicholas survive.

Nicholas was an English monk at a time when both Englishmen and monks rarely received promotion in the church. When Bishop Theulf of Worcester died in October 1123, Nicholas led an unsuccessful attempt of the monks of the priory chapter to be allowed to choose the next bishop.