[MR] Wikipedia: Roger Norreis, Naughty Abbot of Evesham

Garth Groff and Sally Sanford mallardlodge1000 at gmail.com
Sat Oct 20 03:03:28 PDT 2018


Noble Friends,

Yesterday I wanted to post a link to this featured story from Wikipedia
about Roger Norreis, Abbot of Evesham, but thought the bit about "The Night
Watch" was enough for one day.

Roger Norreis (died circa 1225), was a monk of Christ Church Priory who
eventually got himself appointed Prior there. He was accused many times in
his career of pocketing church funds and giving assets to his relatives.
While he lived in splendor, his monks had to beg for food from the nearby
laymen. Eventually his monks held a revolt and imprisoned Norreis. He
escaped down the abbey sewers, earning the nickname "Roger Cloacarius", or
in modern translation, "Roger the Drain Cleaner".

Norreis' naughty behavior led to several disputes about oversight by
bishops. The cases dragged on for years, and went all the way to Rome for
judgement. Somehow, through bribes or influence, Norreis usually landed
back on his feet and went right back to his bad habits (pun intended!), and
managed to get himself appointed abbot of Evesham Abbey.

Norreis was later accused of immoral behavior with women, as well as more
financial improprieties, at Penwortham Priory. He died there in 1224 or
1225, and was buried at the Priory.

You can read more about Roger Norreis at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Norreis .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆


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