Peter I of Pécs

Who is Peter I of Pécs?

Peter I was bishop of Pécs between 1306 and 1314. He was appointed bishop by Archbishop Thomas of Esztergom at the end of 1306 after the canons of the cathedral chapter of Pécs did not reach a consensus on the succession of the elected bishop Manfred who had died at the beginning of the year. Before his appointment, Peter was dean of Tolna County. He had also been vice-chancellor of Charles of Anjou from 1303 the earliest to 1306.

Although Peter was consecrated bishop by May 1307, a group of canons in the cathedral chapter of his see did not accept his appointment. They were led by Nicholas, cantor of the chapter who allied himself with one of Charles of Anjou's opponents, Henry Kőszegi. The latter took the fortress at Pécs and handed it over to Cantor Nicholas who thus succeeded in prevent Bishop Peter from entering his see and collecting revenues from his bishopric. Although Archbishop Thomas and Bishop Peter excommunicated Cantor Nicholas, he did not give up his position in Pécs. Thereafter Bishop Peter mostly stayed in the retinue of the papal legate, Cardinal Gentilis.