Amatus (archbishop of Bordeaux)

The former Oloron Cathedral, now St Mary's Church

Amatus was an eleventh-century French prelate, Catholic Bishop and Papal Legate. ^[1]

Life

He was appointed Catholic Bishop of Oloron from 1073 and Archbishop of Bordeaux from 1089 until 1101. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

He was a Papal Legate for Pope Gregory VII going to Aquitaine in 1074 and Spain in 1077 Being a papal legate, he was therefore a strong supporter of Gregorys reform movement, instigating it in southern France, in partnership with Hugh of Die. He was also a fierce opponent of Berengar of Tours.

He was also a strong supporter of Church independence from civil authority, a supporter of Gregory during the Investiture Controversy and he pursued a policy of piety among the priesthood. At the Council of Rome , held in Lent 1076, he excommunicated several bishops accused of simony. He also presided over the ‘‘Council of Bordeaux’’ in 1080. ^[5]

References

1. La Grande Encyclopédie ^{[ full citation needed ]}.
2. Bishops of Oloron at GCatholic Website.
3. R. Kriston Rennie, Law and Practice in the Age of Reform: The Legatine Work of Hugh of Die (1073–1106) (Turnhout: Brepols, 2010), p30. Rennie, Law and Practice in the Age of Reform: The legatine Work of Hugh of Die (1073-1106) (Turnhout: Brepols, 2010), p30.
4. Pierre de Marca, History of Béarn, à la veuve Jean Camusat, 1640 p297.
5. Arthur Augustus Tilley, Medieval France: A Companion to French Studies (Cambridge University Press, 2010) p.61.

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Etienne de Mauléon	Bishop of Oloron 1083–1101	Succeeded by Odon de Bénac