John Grandisson
Encyclopedia
John Grandisson was a medieval Bishop of Exeter
.
Grandisson was born at Ashperton near Hereford
in 1292. His father William, Lord de Grandisson, was a Burgundian in the household of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster
, brother of King Edward I of England
. He studied theology
at the University of Paris
, and became a Prebendary
of Masham
in York Minster
at the age of 17. He became Archdeacon of Nottingham
at 26, then succeeded his younger brother Thomas as a Prebendary of Heydore
at Lincoln Cathedral
.
Grandisson was nominated as bishop on 10 August 1327 and consecrated on 18 October 1327. He died 16 July 1369. Bishop Grandisson was buried in the mortuary chapel of St Radegund on the south side of the central doorway of the west front of Exeter Cathedral. His tomb was destroyed during the reign of Elizabeth 1.
While bishop, Grandisson outlawed a popular cult that was being promoted by a house of canon
s in Frithelstock
. In addition, in 1335, he founded the original Kings School (Ottery St Mary) (then known as the College of Secular Canons) establishing it as a choir school for eight boys and a Master of Grammar.
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
.
Grandisson was born at Ashperton near Hereford
Hereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
in 1292. His father William, Lord de Grandisson, was a Burgundian in the household of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster
Earl of Lancaster
The title of Earl of Lancaster was created in the Peerage of England in 1267, merging in the crown in 1399. See also Duke of Lancaster.-Earls of Lancaster :...
, brother of King Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
. He studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, and became a Prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Masham
Masham
Masham is a small market town and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 1,235. Situated in Wensleydale on the western bank of the River Ure, the name derives from the Anglo-Saxon "Mæssa's Ham", the homestead belonging to Mæssa. The Romans had...
in York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
at the age of 17. He became Archdeacon of Nottingham
Archdeacon of Nottingham
The historic Archdeaconry of Nottingham was an extensive ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the diocese of York, England. It comprised almost the whole of the county of Nottingham, and was divided into the four deaneries of Nottingham, Newark, Bingham and Retford...
at 26, then succeeded his younger brother Thomas as a Prebendary of Heydore
Heydour
Heydour is a hamlet and civil parish in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It is south-west from Sleaford and north-east from Grantham...
at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
.
Grandisson was nominated as bishop on 10 August 1327 and consecrated on 18 October 1327. He died 16 July 1369. Bishop Grandisson was buried in the mortuary chapel of St Radegund on the south side of the central doorway of the west front of Exeter Cathedral. His tomb was destroyed during the reign of Elizabeth 1.
While bishop, Grandisson outlawed a popular cult that was being promoted by a house of canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
s in Frithelstock
Frithelstock
Frithelstock is a civil parish and settlement in Devon, England. It is located within Torridge local authority area and formed part of Shebbear Hundred. In 2001 the population of the parish was 366...
. In addition, in 1335, he founded the original Kings School (Ottery St Mary) (then known as the College of Secular Canons) establishing it as a choir school for eight boys and a Master of Grammar.