Saint Roger Niger
Encyclopedia
Roger Niger was a thirteenth century cleric who became Bishop of London
. He is also known as Saint Roger of Beeleigh.
of St Paul's Cathedral
, London, and he held the prebend of Ealdland in the diocese of London
. In 1218 he was promoted to Archdeacon of Colchester. He was elected Bishop of London in 1228, and was consecrated bishop
on 10 June 1229.
Niger died on 29 September 1241 or on 2 October 1241 and during his burial in St Paul's Cathedral, there was an eclipse
of the sun. His heart was taken to Beeleigh Abbey
near Maldon
in Essex. Both sites became places of pilgrimage and he was referred to as a saint, although no formal cannonisation has been located. He was however called a saint by at least one Pope. In 1391, Pope Boniface IX
granted relaxation to penitents visiting and giving alms to Beeleigh Abbey on the anniversary of his death.
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
. He is also known as Saint Roger of Beeleigh.
Life
In 1192 Niger was named a canonCanon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
, London, and he held the prebend of Ealdland in the diocese of London
Diocese of London
The Anglican Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.Historically the diocese covered a large area north of the Thames and bordered the dioceses of Norwich and Lincoln to the north and west. The present diocese covers and 17 London boroughs, covering most of Greater...
. In 1218 he was promoted to Archdeacon of Colchester. He was elected Bishop of London in 1228, and was consecrated bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
on 10 June 1229.
Niger died on 29 September 1241 or on 2 October 1241 and during his burial in St Paul's Cathedral, there was an eclipse
Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer...
of the sun. His heart was taken to Beeleigh Abbey
Beeleigh Abbey
Beeleigh Abbey near Maldon in Essex, England, was a monastery constructed in 1180 for the White Canons, otherwise known as the Norbertines or Premonstratensians...
near Maldon
Maldon, Essex
Maldon is a town on the Blackwater estuary in Essex, England. It is the seat of the Maldon district and starting point of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.Maldon is twinned with the Dutch town of Cuijk...
in Essex. Both sites became places of pilgrimage and he was referred to as a saint, although no formal cannonisation has been located. He was however called a saint by at least one Pope. In 1391, Pope Boniface IX
Pope Boniface IX
Pope Boniface IX , born Piero Tomacelli, was the second Roman Pope of the Western Schism from November 2, 1389, until October 1, 1404...
granted relaxation to penitents visiting and giving alms to Beeleigh Abbey on the anniversary of his death.
Further reading
- Nunn, S. P. St Roger of Beeleigh, Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group