Herbert of Bosham was a twelfth century English biographer of Thomas Becket, dates of birth and death unknown.
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He was probably born in Bosham, Sussex, from which he took his name.
He studied theology in Paris as a pupil of Peter Lombard.[1] He introduced Lombard's Sentences into England.[2]
He must have joined Becket's household before 1162, as, on his elevation in that year, the new archbishop immediately promoted him to a responsible position. He was to give his master advice on the performance of his duties, and to assist and even direct his studies of Scripture.
Herbert remained closely attached to Thomas during the arduous and troubled years of his episcopacy and exile down to the very eve of the final scene in Canterbury Cathedral. Of all the archbishop's followers he was the keenest antagonist of the king Henry II of England and the royal "customs", quite ready on occasion to beard the king to his face or to undertake dangerous missions to England.
After the death of Becket, Herbert seems to have lived mainly on the Continent, and he complains that he was neglected; he records, however, a friendly interview with the king himself. We know nothing of him after the year 1189.
Herbert of Bosham's verbose biography of Becket has less historical value of than that of Fitzstephen. He shared Thomas's ideals and was an eyewitness of most of the incidents of his episcopacy. He had sat by him, for instance, during the stormy scenes of the trial at Northampton. On the other hand he did not begin to write till 1184, many years after the events which he records, and Dom Albert L'Huillier gave reasons to doubt the accuracy of Herbert's reminiscences.
Besides the Life of St. Thomas, he wrote a lengthy Liber Melorum in praise of him. An edition of the Life is that contained in vol. III of the Materials for the History of Thomas Becket (Rolls Series) edited by James Craigie Robertson; the volume also contains some extracts from the Liber Melorum.
Herbert was portrayed by actor Clive Currie in the 1923 silent film Becket, based on a play by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). "Herbert of Bosham". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.