Roger Niger
13th-century Bishop of London
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roger Niger (died 1241) was a thirteenth-century cleric who became Bishop of London. He is also known as Saint Roger of Beeleigh.
Roger Niger | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of London | |
| Elected | 1228 |
| Term ended | 29 September 1241 |
| Predecessor | Eustace of Fauconberg |
| Successor | Fulk Basset |
| Other post | Archdeacon of Colchester |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 10 June 1229 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1173 probably Maldon, Essex |
| Died | 29 September 1241 London |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Life
In 1192 Niger was named a canon of St Paul's Cathedral, London, and he held the prebend of Ealdland in the diocese of London. In 1218 he was promoted to Archdeacon of Colchester.[1] He was elected Bishop of London in 1228, and was consecrated bishop on 10 June 1229.[2][3]
Niger died on 29 September 1241[2] or on 2 October 1241[3] and during his burial in Old St Paul's Cathedral, there was an eclipse of the sun. There was a tomb memorial to him in the quire there.[4] His heart was taken to Beeleigh Abbey near Maldon in Essex. Both sites became places of pilgrimage and he was referred to as a saint, although no formal canonisation has been located. He was, however, called a saint by at least one Pope. In 1391, Pope Boniface IX granted relaxation to penitents visiting and giving alms to Beeleigh Abbey on the anniversary of his death.[5]