Wikipedia:Today's featured article/December 2, 2012

Theobald (c. 1090 – 1161) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1139 to 1161. He became a monk at the Abbey of Bec in Normandy in the late 11th or early 12th century, becoming abbot in 1137. King Stephen of England chose him to be Archbishop of Canterbury in 1138. During Theobald's term of office, Canterbury's claim to primacy over the Welsh ecclesiastics was resolved by Pope Eugene III in Canterbury's favour. Theobald faced challenges to his authority from a subordinate bishop, Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, and his relationship with King Stephen was turbulent. On one occasion Stephen forbade Theobald from attending a papal council; Theobald defied the king, resulting in the confiscation of his property and temporary exile. He succeeded in forcing peace on the king during the disorders of Stephen's reign by refusing to consecrate Stephen's son and heir, Eustace. After Eustace's death in 1153 Stephen recognised his rival Henry of Anjou as heir to the English throne, and Theobald was subsequently named regent of the kingdom after Stephen's death. Theobald died in 1161 following a long illness. Efforts were made to have him canonised as a saint, but without success. (Full article...)

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