Bernard, Bishop of St David’s: why was he so important to the Normans?

In 1115, the see of St David’s in Wales became vacant when Bishop Wilfred died. Bishop Wilfred was a popular bishop who navigated many issues during his tenure. In 1089, Vikings attacked the cathedral, desecrated the shrine to St David, and took all the gold and silver. In 1095, the English Archbishop Anselm suspended Wilfred for refusing to accept Norman incursions into his diocese. In 1100, he was taken captive by the Normans for 40 days and only released at the intervention of Archbishop Anselm. Henry 1 of England, however, saw a huge opportunity to put someone he could trust into the see of St David’s and assist him in his aim to control all aspects of Welsh politics. Bernard was to play a pivotal role in Anglo- Norman influence in Wales.

Bernard’s ascendancy to the bishopric of St David’s was no mere happenstance. It was a strategic move orchestrated by Henry 1, a monarch notorious for political manoeuvring. Bernard’s journey to prominence began with his service as a royal clerk, eventually ascending to the esteemed position of chancellor to Queen Matilda. These connections within the royal court paved the way for his appointment to the bishopric, placing him at the nexus of royal and ecclesiastical power.

Bernard’s actions were driven by the broader context of Anglo-Norman politics, where his loyalty to the English crown was paramount. His close ties to Henry 1 and his successors afforded him unparalleled access to the corridors of power and helped him navigate the intricate webs of diplomacy and intrigue.

One of the issues of the time was the Norman church's insistence on celibacy rather than church positions and lands being handed down to the offspring of the clergy. The Welsh had, up until this time, not agreed with celibacy. In the Norman way of thinking, while the church had courts to judge ecclesiastical matters regarding the lands of their sees, the bishops were merely the king's tenants-in-chief.

One of Bernard’s most enduring legacies lies in his efforts to establish St David’s cathedral in Norman style.  This ambitious undertaking was not merely a reflection of his ambition but a manifestation of King Henry’s vision for consolidating Norman authority in the region. The transformation of St David’s under Bernard’s stewardship was nothing short of remarkable. From its humble beginnings as a clas or monastic community, Bernard remodelled it into a cathedral chapter befitting Norman standards, deftly combining Welsh traditions with Norman practices. By reshaping the ecclesiastical landscape, Bernard effectively blurred the lines between Welsh tradition and Norman influence, laying the groundwork for a new era of governance in Wales. 

Bernard’s tenure as bishop was marked by a series of religious controversies and territorial disputes emblematic of the tumultuous times in which he lived. From advocating on boundary disputes to religious feasts, Bernard’s actions reverberated far beyond the walls of his cathedral. He needed to be a diplomat as much as a clergyman. His critics accused him of greed and opportunism, citing his attempts to acquire church lands by any means necessary. However, we must remember that Bernard was Henry 1’s man!

Bernard, Bishop of St David’s tenure, symbolises the convergence of Norman ambition and Welsh resilience, a testament to the complex interplay of forces of the twelfth century. He certainly left an indelible mark on history. 

If you would like to immerse yourself in the time of Wales in the Middle Ages, you might enjoy ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter’ and ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance’.