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Thomas of Hereford was born to a rich and powerful Anglo-Norman family around 1218 in Hambledon, near Great Marlow in Buckinghamshire. He was brought up partly at Worcester where his uncle was bishop.
Following studies in Oxford and Paris taught at Oxford and in 1261 was elected Chancellor to the university. During the time of political tension between King Henry III and his barons, Thomas was made Chancellor of England. Following the Battle of Evesham of 1265, and restoration of the authority of the king Thomas returned to his studies in Paris. He returned to England and teaching at Oxford in the early 1270s, and serving a second term as Chancellor to the University. Thomas received many ecclesiastical preferments which brough him great wealth. He continued in academic and political life, and took care to appointed competent vicars to supply for him in his many churches, while at the same time he made frequent visits himself and used his wealth for the care of church, and the poor and sick. In 1275 the canons of Hereford Cathedral elected Thomas to be their next bishop and he was ordained to the ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As bishop Thomas took care of the administration of the diocese and his episocal estates, as well as fulfilling his pastoral responsibilities with the utmost zeal and firmness. He died in 1282 and was canonised in 1320. The memorial of St Thomas is celebrated on 3rd October. Lord, in the life of St Thomas Cantilupe you set before us an example of charity and learning. Help us, like him, to seek you above all things. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Photographs (c) 2020, 2025, Allen Morris. |
Detail of window from Worcester Cathedral
Shrine of St Thomas at Hereford Cathedral
The nave of Hereford Cathedral
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Statue of Sir Edward Elgar, composer of 'The Dream of Gerontius', in the grounds of Hereford Cathedral
