Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The influence of the Abbey of Bec as a centre of learning was such that a pupil of Lanfranc's, who was to be made Pope Alexander II in 1061, attained a position of influence in Rome leading to Pope Nicholas II's decision to lift the interdict imposed on Normandy when William the Bastard married Matilda. The sympathy with Norman, rather than English, views may also have eased the task of Gilbert of Lisieux who went to seek Pope Alexander's blessing on William's scheme to invade England and oust the alleged usurper of the throne, Harold Godwinsson, without, apparently, giving the other side of the argument a hearing. Gilbert returned not only with a blessing and public approval from the Pope, but also a banner to be carried in battle and, according to Wace, a tooth of St Peter. In 1070, three years before his death, Alexander appointed his former teacher Archbishop of Canterbury.

See also: Abbey of Bec; banner; Harold Godwinsson; Lanfranc of Bec; Matilda; Normandy; Wace; William the Bastard

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )