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John of Avranches

955 – 1079

Archbishop of Rouen

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About John of Avranches

Lived 955 – 1079. John of Avranches was a French archbishop and writer.

John of Avranches was bishop of Avranches from 1060 to 1067, and archbishop of Rouen from 1067 to 1079. He was a Norman churchman, son of Rodulf of Ivry, and brother of Hugh of Bayeux. He appears in the Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, and may have been one of the sources William used.

He became archbishop of Rouen when his friend Lanfranc declined the position. As archbishop he was a reformer, campaigning for clerical celibacy from 1074. This led to his being stoned at a provincial synod. In 1075 he with Roger de Beaumont was in effective charge of Normandy.

He is known for his liturgical work Tractatus de officiis ecclesiasticis; it was officially adopted in the diocese of Rouen. It was written at the request of Maurilius, his predecessor as archbishop; it had only a limited impact in promoting uniformity in Normandy.

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Important facts

Born
955
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Archbishop of Rouen, Roman Catholic Bishop of Avranches
Also known as
Jean d'Avranches, Johannes Rothomagensis

People in John of Avranches's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John of Avranches's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John of Avranches?

Archbishop of Rouen

When was John of Avranches born?

John of Avranches was born in 955.

When did John of Avranches die?

John of Avranches died on 9 September 1079 in Saint-Philbert-sur-Risle.

What was John of Avranches's occupation?

John of Avranches was an archbishop and writer.

What nationality was John of Avranches?

John of Avranches was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John of Avranches

· Wikidata: Q3175222

· DBpedia: John of Avranches

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John of Avranches. https://biography.guide/john-of-avranches/

MLA: "John of Avranches." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-of-avranches/.

Chicago: "John of Avranches." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-of-avranches/.

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