Alexander of Lincoln

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Alexander of Lincoln (Latin: Alexander Lincolniensis) (died 1147/early 1148), bishop of Lincoln, one of the most magnificent prelates of his day, was born in Blois, France, and was nephew to the famous Roger, bishop of Salisbury.

He was elected to the see of Lincoln in 1123. He founded 2 monasteries, and built castles at Newark, Sleaford and Banbury. This castle-building excited the jealousy of King Stephen, who - successfully besieging him at Newark - imprisoned him. Alexander, after some months, obtained his delivery by giving up to the king his castles and his treasures.

In 1142 he went to Rome, from whence he returned to England as a papal legate. He rebuilt his cathedral at Lincoln in 1145 after it had been destroyed or damaged by fire. He was also an encourager of literature, and the patron of Geoffrey of Monmouth, who says of him, in the Introduction to the Prophecies of Merlin: "Non erat alter in clero sive in populo cui tot famularentur nobiles, quos ipsius mansueta pietas et benigna largitas in obsequium ejus alliciebat." (There was none other among the clergy or the people whom so many nobles served - he charmed them into loyalty to him because of his own piety and lavish generosity.)

In 1147 or early 1148 he died in his native country, Normandy, when on his return from a second journey to Rome.