Compromise with York. never lead him to do anything against the dignity of the Church of Canterbury his mother.[1] The King and Flambard perhaps enjoyed the joke together. But Robert Bloet made the needful profession, and was consecrated as Bishop of Lincoln by Anselm and the assembled prelates. The controversy with York was at last formally settled, by a compromise which was announced in a royal charter. By this the Archbishop of York accepted the patronage of the new abbey of Selby in his own diocese, and that of the church of Saint Oswald at Worcester—the city and diocese so long connected with York—in exchange for his claims over Lindesey.[2] The isle and city of Lindum has ever since remained an undisputed member of the southern province.
Character of Robert Bloet.
His offices.
The new Bishop of Lincoln, the first prelate consecrated
to that see, has left a doubtful character behind
him. He held his bishopric for thirty years, living on
far into the reign of Henry, and keeping the royal favour
till just before his death. Chancellor under both Williams,
he, as usual, resigned that post on his consecration;
but under Henry he ruled with great power in the
higher office of Justiciar.[3] Bountiful in his gifts to his
see and to his church, the number of whose prebends he
doubled, splendid and liberal in his manner of life, bountiful
to the poor, winning the hearts of all around him,
not himself a scholar, but a promoter of scholars, skilful
in worldly business of every kind, he does not show us
the best, but neither does he show us the worst type of
the prelates of his day. He was charged with looseness
of life; but his chief accuser found it wise to strike out
