Maurilius

Who was Maurilius?

Maurilius was a Norman Archbishop of Rouen from 1055 to 1067.

Maurilius was originally from Reims, and was born about 1000. He trained as a priest at Liege and became a member of the cathedral chapter of Halberstadt. He became a monk at Fecamp Abbey, but then became a hermit at Vallombrosa. From there he was elected abbot of the monastery of St Marry of Florence, but his austerity caused a revolt amongst the monks and he was forced to return to Fecamp.

Maurilius held the office of Archbishop of Rouen from 1054, when he first occurs in documents as archbishop. The Annals of Jumieges, however, place his elevation as archbishop in 1055. Maurilius succeeded Mauger, who was deposed by a council held in 1054 or 1055 at Lisieux under the guidance of a papal legate. After Mauger's deposition, Maurilius was appointed because of his support for church reform. Contemporaries praised his saintly character which gained him respect from his fellow clergy. He was also known for his scholarly interests and knowledge. He was a benefactor of the abbeys of Saint-Ouen, Jumièges, Le Tréport, and Saint-Ymer. As archbishop, he built a large church to replace Rouen Cathedral. He also held at least one provincial synod - the 1063 Synod of Rouen, and perhaps held another ecclesiastical council sometime between 1055 and 1063.