Roger de Pont L'Évêque

Roger de Pont L'Évêque
Archbishop of York
Sketch of Roger from the Becket Leaves (c.1220-1240), possibly by Matthew Paris
Appointedbefore October 1154
Term ended26 November 1181
PredecessorWilliam of York
SuccessorGeoffrey Plantagenet
Other post(s)Archdeacon of Canterbury
Orders
Consecration10 October 1154
Personal details
Bornc. 1115
Died26 November 1181
Yorkshire
BuriedDurham Cathedral

Roger de Pont L'Évêque (or Robert of Bishop's Bridge; c. 1115–1181) was Archbishop of York from 1154 to 1181. Born in Normandy, he preceded Thomas Becket as Archdeacon of Canterbury, and together with Becket served Theobald of Bec while Theobald was Archbishop of Canterbury. While in Theobald's service, Roger was alleged to have committed a crime which Becket helped to cover up. Roger succeeded William FitzHerbert as archbishop in 1154, and while at York rebuilt York Minster, which had been damaged by fire.

Roger did not become deeply involved in the dispute between King Henry II of England and Becket until 1170, when the King had Roger preside at the coronation of the king's son Henry the Young King, a function that would normally have been performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In retaliation Becket excommunicated Roger in late 1170, and some have seen this excommunication as one reason for King Henry's anger at Becket which led to Becket's murder. After being suspended from office by the pope for his supposed role in Becket's death, Roger was eventually restored to office in late 1171, and died in 1181. The see of York remained vacant after his death until 1189.