[A.D. 1148, trans. to London 1163.] GILBERT FOLIOT, Abbot of Gloucester, the inflexible antagonist of Becket. Foliot “was admitted to be a man of unimpeachable life, of austere habits, and great learning. He was in correspondence with Popes Cælestine II., Lucius II., Eugenius III., and Alexander, and with a familiarity which implies a high estimation for ability and experience. He is interfering in matters remote from his diocese, and commending other bishops, Lincoln and Salisbury, to the favourable consideration of the pontiff. All his letters reveal as imperious and conscientious a Churchman as Becket himself, and in Becket’s position Foliot might have resisted the King as inflexibly. He was, in short, a bold and stirring ecclesiastic, who did not scruple to wield, as he had done in several instances, that last terrible weapon of the clergy which burst on his own head, excommunication[47].” It was Foliot who uttered the “bitter sarcasm” on Becket’s consecration as primate, “The King has wrought a miracle, he has turned a soldier and a layman into an archbishop;” but in spite of this, Becket “acquiesced in, if he did not promote, the advancement of Foliot to the see of London,” vacant when Becket was consecrated, at Whitsuntide, 1161. Foliot’s translation took place in 1163. From that time he appears on the King’s side, in opposition to the Archbishop, and Becket accuses him of aspiring to the primacy. The life of Foliot belongs too completely to the public history of his time, and is too closely associated with the career of Becket, to be dwelt on here at any length. He was among the bishops excommunicated by Becket on Ascension-day, 1169, and again in Canterbury Cathedral, on the Christmas-day before the Archbishop’s murder; and it was Foliot who preached in that cathedral on the memorable day (July 12, 1174) of King Henry’s penance. He died in 1187. The letters of Bp. Foliot have been edited by Dr. Giles, (Oxon. 1845,) and form two volumes of the series illustrating the life of Becket. Foliot was annually commemorated by the canons of Hereford, as one who “multa bona contulit Herefordensi capitulo.” [A.D. 1163-1167.] ROBERT DE MELUN (of Maledon), called by the annalist of St. David’s “Episcopus Anglorum sapientissimus.” He was present at the famous scene between Becket and Henry at Northampton, when he attempted, with Foliot, to take the cross from the hands of the Archbishop, to whose side he seems to have adhered.