Stephen Bersted | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Chichester | |
| Elected | 1262 |
| Term ended | 21 October 1287 |
| Predecessor | John Climping |
| Successor | Gilbert of St Leonard |
| Other post(s) | Canon ofChichester |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 24 September 1262 |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 21 October 1287 |
Stephen Bersted[a] (died 1287) was a medievalBishop of Chichester.
Bersted was from a humble background,[2] and came fromBersted, Sussex which at the time was part of thearchbishop of Canterbury's estate at Pagham. He studied atOxford University, and was a regent of theology there for a time.[3] He was acanon ofChichester[1] and a chaplain toRichard of Chichester when Richard was bishop of Chichester.[3] Bersted was elected to thesee of Chichester between 26 May and 20 June 1262. He was consecrated on 24 September 1262[4] atCanterbury.[1] He was a supporter ofSimon de Montfort which earned him a suspension from office on 1 December 1265 by thepapal legateOttobuono, but after traveling toRome, he was absolved by PopeGregory X on 26 November 1272. KingEdward I of England however, confiscated his lands on his return from Rome, only restoring them to the bishop on 20 April 1273.[1] Stephen served as one of the three electors of the nine members of the council that Montfort set up after theBattle of Lewes in 1264. Bersted served with Montfort himself andGilbert de Clare,Earl of Gloucester.[5] By June 1276 he was back in royal favor, for KingEdward I of England attended the ceremony held that month where Bersted oversaw the translation of the relics of Richard of Chichester to a new shrine.[3]
Bersted became blind[3] a few years before he died on 21 October 1287. He was probably related to Thomas Bersted who wasDean of Chichester, and another Stephen of Bersted who was also a canon of Chichester.[1]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Chichester 1262–1287 | Succeeded by |