Arnulf of Lisieux

(Lexoviensis or Luxoviensis).

In France; d. 31 August, 1184. He was educated by his brother, the Bishop of Séez (Sagi), studied canon law at Rome, and wrote in defence of Pope Innocent II a violent letter against Gerard, Bishop of Angoulême (Muratori, SS. RR. Ital., III, 423-432), a partisan of the Antipope Anacletus II (Petrus Leonis). In 1141 he was raised to the See of Lisieux, accompanied Louis VII on his crusade (1147), was faithful to Alexander III during the schism, and encouraged his brother bishops to defend the cause of ecclesiastical liberty against Henry II of England. He was a partisan of the king in the conflict between Henry and St. Thomas Becket, and after the murder of the latter undertook the royal defence before the pope. In 1181 or perhaps a little earlier, he lost the good will of the king, and for a while that of Pope Lucius. He then resigned his see because of age and feebleness and retired to the Abbey of St. Victor at Paris, where he died. His writings include a collection of letters, made by himself, and some poetry, and are in P.L., CC.