Savaric FitzGeldewin worked to secure the release of King Richard I of England from captivity, when the king was held by Emperor Henry VI.
17 Facts About Savaric FitzGeldewin
1.
2.
Savaric FitzGeldewin's father was Geldwin, who was a member of the Bohun family and was probably a second cousin of his predecessor as Bishop of Bath, Reginald fitzJocelin.
3.
The elder Savaric FitzGeldewin's wife was Muriel, who was a granddaughter of Humphrey de Bohun.
4.
The younger Savaric FitzGeldewin's mother Estrangia was a Burgundian and related to Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.
5.
Savaric FitzGeldewin first appears in the historical record in 1157 when he is named as a canon of Coutances Cathedral in Normandy.
6.
Savaric FitzGeldewin then was archdeacon of Countances from 1162 to 1174.
7.
Savaric FitzGeldewin was Treasurer of Salisbury in 1174 and archdeacon of Northampton from 1175 to 1187.
8.
The medieval chronicler Ralph Diceto says that a Savaric FitzGeldewin was appointed as Archdeacon of Canterbury, but whether this was the same Savaric FitzGeldewin is unclear.
9.
Savaric FitzGeldewin incurred large debts to King Henry II of England, which caused the king to complain to Pope Urban III.
10.
Savaric FitzGeldewin went with Henry's son and successor King Richard I on crusade, and it was while they both were in Sicily that Savaric FitzGeldewin obtained his bishopric.
11.
When Richard was held for ransom in Germany while returning from crusade, Savaric FitzGeldewin met with his cousin the Emperor Henry VI in an attempt to secure Richard's release.
12.
Savaric FitzGeldewin remained in Germany throughout 1193 and continued to be involved in the negotiations, until he returned to England at the end of the year.
13.
Once Richard was released, Savaric FitzGeldewin was one of the hostages left behind in Germany to ensure the payment of the remainder of the ransom.
14.
Savaric FitzGeldewin secured the support of Pope Celestine III for the takeover the abbey as the seat of his bishopric, replacing Bath.
15.
The plan was that Savaric FitzGeldewin would be bishop of Bath as well as abbot of Glastonbury.
16.
Savaric FitzGeldewin then attempted to secure more control over other monasteries in his diocese, but died before he could set the plans in motion.
17.
Savaric FitzGeldewin was there to support Roches election which had been contested.