Ancient Diocese of Bazas
The Diocese of Bazas, centred on Bazas in Aquitaine, covered the Bazadais region, known under the Romans as the Vasatensis pagus after the ancient occupants, the Vasates. In the 2nd century it was part of the Novempopulania, one of the seventeen provinces of Gaul. The diocese must have been created between the first and the third centuries, but because of the large numbers of invaders that passed through this region - Arians, Saracens, Normans - the list of bishops is much reduced during the first millennium. The first bishop of this diocese is mentioned, without a name, by Gregory of Tours in his De gloria martyrum.
The diocese of Bazas, the seat of which was the cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bazas, was bordered on the north by the diocese of Périgueux, on the east by the diocese of Agen and the diocese of Condom, on the south by the diocese of Aire and the diocese of Dax, and on the west by the archdiocese of Bordeaux. It was divided into three archdeaconries.
It was suppressed during the French Revolution by the Legislative Assembly, under the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790).[1] By the Concordat of 1801 its territory was unequally divided between the dioceses of Aire, Agen and Bordeaux. The title of the diocese of Bazas was preserved and assigned to the Archdiocese of Bordeaux-Bazas.
Bishops of Bazas
to 1300
- after 406: bishop, name unknown, mentioned by Gregory of Tours[2]
- 506 and 511: Sextilius[3]
- 585: Orestes[4]
- 614: Gudualdus[5]
- 673-675: Gundulfus[6]
- ...
- 977-980: Gombaud, bishop of Gascony[7]
- c. 980-1000: Arsius Raca (Administrator during the minority of Hugo)
- 1000- c. 1012: Hugues[8]
- c. 1012- c. 1025 or 1029: Arsius Raca
- c. 1025- c. 1059: Raimond 'Vetulus' (the Elder)[9]
- 1059-1084: Raimond the Younger[10]
- 1084 - c. 1103: Étienne de Sentes[11]
- 1104-1126: Bertrand de Baslade[12]
- 1126 - c. 1134: Geoffroy or Godefroy[13]
- 1134-1143 or 1144: Fortis Guarini de Pellegrue[14]
- 1144-1146: Raimond
- 1146- c. 1165: Guillaume Arnaud de Tontoulon[15]
- c. 1165-1186: Garsias de Benquet[16]
- 1186-1213 or 1214: Gaillard de la Mothe[17]
- 1214-1219: Guillaume II[18]
- 1219-1242: Arnaud I de Pins[19]
- 1242-1265: Raimond IV de Castillon[20]
- 1265-1277: Guillaume III de Pins[21]
- 1277-1294 or 1296: Hugues II de Rochefort[22]
- 1294 ou 1296-1299: Guillaume IV Geoffroy[23]
- 1299-1302: Arnaud Falquet, Fouquet, Foucaud or Foulques[24]
since 1300
- 1302-1313 and 1319: Guillaume V Arnaud de La Mothe[25]
- 1313-1318: Theobald de Castillon (Thibault)[26]
- 1318-1319: Guillaume de La Mothe (again)[27]
- 1319–1325 Guillaume[28]
- 1325-1334: Pictavin (Poitevin) de Montesquiou[29]
- 1334-1348: Gaillard de Fargues or de la Trave or de Préchac[30]
- 1348-1357: Raimond Arnaud de la Mothe[31]
- 1358-1360: Géraud or Gérald du Puy or du Puch (de Podio)[32]
- 1360: Pierre[33]
- 1361-1368: Guillaume VII[34]
- 1371-1374: Guillaume IX de Montlaur[35]
Great Western Schism
Return to unity
- 1421- c. 1430: Bernard d'Yvon[41]
- 1433-1446: Henri François de Cavier[42]
- 1447-1450: Bernard Yvest de Roserge[43]
- 1450-1457: Raimond de Tulle[44]
- 1457-1485: Raimond du Treuil, O.Min.[45]
- 1486-1504: Jean de Bonald[46]
- 1504-1520: Cardinal Amanieu d'Albret (Administrator)[47]
- 1521-1528: Symphorien Bullioud[48]
- 1528-1531: Foucauld de Bonnevald[49]
- 1531-1544: Jean IV de Plats or Plas[50]
- 1544-1554: Annet de Plas[51]
- 1555-1558 or 1561: Jean Baptiste Alamanni[52]
- 1558-1559: Amanieu de Foix, died before taking possession of his bishopric.[53]
- 1563-1564: Jean de Balaguier[54]
- 1564-1572: François de Balaguier[55]
- 1572-1605: Arnaud de Pontac[56]
- 1605-1631: Jean Jaubert de Barrault de Blaignac[57]
- 1631-1633: Nicolas de Grillié, Grillet or Grilles[58]
- 1633-1645: Henri II Listolfi Maroni[59]
- 1646-1667: Samuel Martineau de Turé[60]
- 1668-1684: Guillaume de Boissonade d'Orty[61]
- 1685-1724: Jacques-Joseph de Gourgue[62]
- 1724-1746: Edme Mongin, occupied Seat 26 of the Académie française (1707-1746)[63]
- 1746-1792: Jean Baptiste II Amédée de Grégoire de Saint-Sauveur[64]
References
- Ludovic Sciout (1872). "Chapitre IV: La Constitution Civile". Historie de la constitution civile du clergé (1790-1801) (in French). Vol. Tome premier. Paris: Firmin Didot frères.
- Gregory of Tours, Gloria martyrum 12: Gregory of Tours (1988). Glory of the Martyrs. Liverpool University Press. pp. 32–34. ISBN 978-0-85323-236-0. Duchesne, p. 101 no. 1.
- Sextilius sent a deputy, the priest Polemius, to the Council of Agde in 506: C. Munier, Concilia Galliae A. 314 – A. 506 (Turnhout: Brepols 1963), p. 219. He also attended in person the Council of Orléans in 511: C. De Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 – A. 695 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), pp. 13-19. Duchesne, p. 101 no. 2.
- Orestes in mentioned by Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks VII.31 and VIII.20. He attended the Council of Mâcon in 585: De Clercq, p. 248. Duchesne, p. 101 no. 3. Gregory I. Halfond (2010). Archaeology of Frankish Church Councils, AD 511-768. Boston-Leiden: Brill. p. 45. ISBN 978-90-04-17976-9.
- Gudualdus attended the Council of Paris in 614: De Clercq, p. 281. Duchesne, p. 101 no. 4.
- Gundulfus attended the Council of Bordeaux c.673/675: De Clercq, p. 313 (Pasatensis in ms. instead of Vasatensis). Duchesne, p. 101 no. 5.
- Gumbaldus: Gallia christiana I, p. 1192-1193.
- Hugo was the son of Bishop Gumbaldus. His father tried to have him made Abbot of Condom, and Bishop of Agen as well. They were roundly criticized for making Hugo bishop of two Sees concurrently. Gallia christiana I, p. 1193-1194.
- Raimond: Gallia christiana I, p. 1194.
- Raimond the Younger was the nephew of Raymond the Elder. Gallia christiana I, p. 1195.
- Étienne: Gallia christiana I, pp. 1195-1196.
- Bertrand: Gallia christiana I, pp. 1196-1197.
- Gaufredus: Gallia christiana I, p. 1197.
- Fortis: Gallia christiana I, pp. 1197-1198.
- Guillaume Arnaud: Gallia christiana I, p. 1198.
- Garsias: Gallia christiana I, pp. 1198-1199.
- Gaillardus de Mota is said to have abdicated and become a monk at Corona (diocese of Limoges). Gallia christiana I, p. 1199. Cf. Eubel, I, p. 516, who says Gaillard resigned c. 1220.
- Not recognized by Gallia christiana I, Gams, or Eubel. Eubel says Gaillard resigned c. 1220.
- Arnaud: Gallia christiana I, p. 1199.
- King Henry III of England appointed Raymond his iudex in bringing peace between the Prior of S. Petro de Regula and the Seneschal of Aquitaine, Henri de Trubvilla. Gallia christiana I, pp. 1199-1200.
- Gallia christiana I, p. 1200.
- Hugo de Rupe-forti: Gallia christiana I, p. 1200-1201.
- Guillelmus Gaufredi was a native of Perigueux, and had been Abbot of the monastery of Bellae-perticae (diocese of Montauban). Gallia christiana I, p. 1201. (He is Guillelmus III in Gallia christiana and in Gams, p. 510).
- Arnaldus Falqueti: Gallia christiana I, p. 1201. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Guillaume was transferred to Saintes by Clement V in 1313, sent back to Bazas by John XXII in 1318.
- Theobald had been Cantor of the Cathedral Chapter of Bazas. He was appointed by Clement V on 27 April 1313. He exchanged his see with that of his uncle Guillaume-Arnaud on 18 January 1318. He was transferred to the diocese of Lisbon on 17 March 1348, where he died c. 28 May 1356. Gallia christiana I, pp. 1202-1203. Gams, p. 624 column 1. Eubel, I, pp. 506, 516, 537.
- Guillaume, who had previously been Bishop of Bazas, was transferred to Bazas on 18 January 1318.
- Guillaume, not to be confused with his predecessor Guillaume de la Mothe, was appointed on 10 September 1319 by Pope John XXII. He was transferred to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges in 1325. Eubel, I, pp. 207, 516.
- Pictevin has been a Canon of Bazas. He was approved as bishop by Pope John XXII on 19 June 1325. He was transferred to Maguelonne (Montpellier) on 12 September 1334, then to Albi on 27 January 1339; Cardinal (17 December 1350). He died on 1 February 1355. Eubel, I, pp. 19 no. 19, 81, 320, 516.
- Gaillard held the office of Archdeacon of Vallisporta (diocese of Burgos, Spain). He was approved by Pope John XXII on 12 September 1334. He was a member of the Curia at Avignon, however, and died at Carombo, near Carpentras in the year of the Great Plague. Eubel, I, p. 516 with note 6.
- Raimond was approved by Pope Clement VI on 19 March 1348. Gallia christiana I, p. 1204. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Geraldus, who had been Sacristan of the Cathedral of Bordeaux, was approved by Pope Innocent VI on 11 April 1358. In the Anniversary Book of the Cathedral of Bordeaux, it is said that he died in 1359. Gallia christiana I, pp. 1204-1205. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Pierre had been Archdeacon of Bazas. He died in Avignon. Gallia christiana I, p. 1205. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Guillaume had been Archdeacon of Gauriac in the Church of Bazas. He was present at the Council of the Three Provinces at Lavaur on 6 June 1368, which produced 133 canons. J.-D. Mansi (ed.) Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXVI, p. 483. Gallia christiana I, p. 1205. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Gallia christiana I, p. 1205.
- Joannes de Casetone was approved by Pope Gregory XI on 20 November 1374. He chose to follow Clement VII, who was elected on 20 September 1378. Gallia christiana I, pp. 1205-1206. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Guillaume, a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) and Provost of Apt, was approved by Pope Benedict XIII on 27 January 1395. He was transferred to the diocese of Rodez on 25 May 1397. Gallia christiana I, p. 1206. Eubel, I, pp. 427, 516.
- Petrus Sulpini was approved by Benedict XIII on 27 August 1397. Gallia christiana I, p. 1206. Eubel, I, p. 516.
- Maurice was appointed by Boniface IX, c. April 1393. He had been Bishop of Aire (1390–1392). He died before his letters of transferal could be executed. Eubel, I, pp. 72, 516 note 11; 517.
- Joannes was appointed 31 July 1396 by Boniface IX. Eubel, I, p. 517.
- Bernard: Gallia christiana I, p. 1207 (claiming a document of 1419).
- Henri had been a Canon of Bordeaux. He received papal approval on 21 October 1433. He died on 18 November 1446. Gallia christiana I, p. 1207. Eubel, II, p. 263.
- Bernardus de Roserge, Rousergue or du Rosier, was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law). He received papal approval on 21 October 1433. He was transferred to the diocese of Montauban on 9 January 1450. Gallia christiana I, p. 1208. Eubel, II, pp. 195, 263.
- Raimond de Tulle's bulls are dated 9 January 1450. He had earlier been Bishop of Conserans (1443-1444), and Bishop of Castres (though the move never took effect). Eubel, II, p. 120 note 1, 134, 263.
- Raymond de Treuil's bulls are dated 1 April 1457. Gallia christiana I, p. 1208. Eubel, II, p. 263.
- Jean de Bonald (Bonal, Bonneau or Bonaldy): He received papal approval on 25 February 1486. Gallia christiana I, p. 1209. Eubel, II, p. 263.
- Albret died on 20 December 1520. Gallia christiana I, p. 1209. Eubel, III, p. 327.
- Bullioud had previously been Bishop of Glandèves (1508–1521). He exchanged his see with Foucauld de Bonneval, bishop of Soissons on 1 July 1528. He died on 5 January 1534. Eubel, III, pp. 203, 306, 327.
- Foucauld was the brother of Charles de Bonnavale, Bishop of Sarlat (1519–1527). Foucauld had previously been Bishop of Soissons (1514–1528). He exchanged with Jean de Plats or Plas, and became bishop of Périgueux on 4 August 1531. He died in 1540. Gallia christiana I, p. 1209. Eubel, III, pp. 272, 306, 327.
- Jean de Plas had previously been Bishop of Périgueux (1525–1531). He resigned in favour of his brother on 22 October 1544. Eubel, III, pp. 272, 327.
- Annet de Plas was the brother of Jean de Plas, and a priest of the diocese of Bazas. He died in 1554. Gallia christiana I, p. 1209, note (b). Eubel, III, p. 327.
- Alamanni was a cleric of the diocese of Florence, and was nominated bishop of Bazas by King Henri II. He was transferred to the diocese of Macon on 29 May 1560, exchanging with Amanieu de Foix, bishop of Mâcon. A Vicar General of Alamanni was still functioning in Bazas in 1561; apparently Alamanni was acting as Administrator of the diocese of Bazas. Gallia christiana I, p. 1210. Eubel, III, p. 238, 327.
- Gallia christiana I, p. 1210.
- Jean de Balaguier, a parish priest of Lancone (diocese of Agen), was appointed to Bazas on 8 October 1563. He was transferred to Cahors on 28 April 1564, while still Bishop-Elect of Bazas. Eubel, III, pp. 160, 327.
- François had been abbot of the monastery of Exiensis (diocese of Agen). He was appointed to Bazas on 21 June 1564, and took his oath in Bazas on 27 August 1565. Gallia christiana I, pp. 1210-1211. Eubel, III, p. 327.
- Arnaud de Pontac, a priest of the diocese of Bordeaux, was confirmed as Bishop of Bazas on 19 November 1572. He died on 4 February 1605 in his Château de Jaubertes. Gallia christiana I, p. 1211. Eubel, III, p. 327.
- Barrault was a Bachelor in theology and held a Licenciate in Canon and Civil Law. Barrault's appointment was approved on 25 May 1611 by Pope Paul V. He was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal François de la Rochefoucauld on 7 August 1611. He was transferred to the diocese of Arles on 12 May 1631. He died on 4 February 1605. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 359 with note 2.
- Grillier was nominated by King Louis XIII on 30 December 1630, and approved by Pope Urban VIII on 24 March 1631. He resigned in 1633 and was transferred to the diocese of Uzès on 3 April 1634. Gauchat, p. 359 with note 3.
- Maroni was approved by Pope Urban VIII on 28 November 1633. He died on 18 May 1645. Gauchat, p. 360 with note 4.
- Martineau was a Canon of the Cathedral of Paris and a Doctor of the Sorbonne. His appointment was approved by Pope Innocent X on 23 April 1646. He died on 24 May 1667. Gauchat, p. 360 with note 5.
- Boissonade was born in Agen, and obtained a Licenciate in Canon Law. He was named Canon and Cantor of the Cathedral Chapter of Agen. He was named Bishop of Bazas by Louis XIV on 27 July 1667, and approved by Pope Clement IX on 30 January 1668. He died on 22 September 1684. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 405 with note 3.
- De Gourgue was born in the diocese of Bordeaux, and was Doctor of Theology (Paris). He participated in the Assembly of the Clergy in 1682. He was nominated by Louis XIV on 31 May 1684, and approved by Pope Innocent XII on 12 October 1693. The delay of nearly ten years was caused by the excommunication and rupture in relations between Louis XIV and Pope Innocent XI, which left more than thirty bishoprics in France vacant on the pope's death (See Eugène Michaud, Louis XIV et Innocent XI Paris 1883). His Last Will and Testament was signed on 7 May 1724. De Gourgue died on 2 September 1724. Abbé Antoine-Louis Bertrand (1894). Histoire des séminaires de Bordeaux et de Bazas (in French). Vol. Tome III. Bordeaux: Feret. pp. 55–58, 207–216. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 405 with note 4.
- Mongin was born in the chateau of Baronville (diocese of Langres). He was a Bachelor of Theology (Paris) and had a Licenciate in Canon Law (Orléans). He died on 5 May 1746. Jean, pp. 93-94. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 405 with note 5.
- Gregoire was born in the diocese of Mende, and held a Licenciate in theology from Paris. For ten years he was Vicar General of Mende and for three years Provost of the Cathedral. He died on 16 January 1792. Jean, p. 94. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 433 with note 2.
Bibliography
Reference works
- Gams, Pius Bonifatius (1873). Series episcoporum Ecclesiae catholicae: quotquot innotuerunt a beato Petro apostolo. Ratisbon: Typis et Sumptibus Georgii Josephi Manz. (Use with caution; obsolete)
- Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica, Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin)
- Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1914). Hierarchia catholica, Tomus 2 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin)
- Gulik, Guilelmus (1923). Eubel, Conradus (ed.). Hierarchia catholica, Tomus 3 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.
- Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice) (1935). Hierarchia catholica IV (1592-1667). Münster: Libraria Regensbergiana. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1952). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi V (1667-1730). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
Studies
- Duchesne, Louis (1910). Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule: II. L'Aquitaine et les Lyonnaises. Paris: Fontemoing.
- Dupuy, Jérôme-Géraud (1747), Chronique de Bazas, in: Archives historiques du département de la Gironde Tome 15 (1874), pp. 1–67.
- Du Tems, Hugues (1774). Le clergé de France, ou tableau historique et chronologique des archevêques, évêques, abbés, abbesses et chefs des chapitres principaux du royaume, depuis la fondation des églises jusqu'à nos jours (in French). Vol. Tome premier. Paris: Delalain.
- Jean, Armand (1891). Les évêques et les archevêques de France depuis 1682 jusqu'à 1801 (in French). Paris: A. Picard.
- Sainte-Marthe, Denis de (1870). Paulus Piolin (ed.). Gallia christiana: in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa (in Latin). Vol. Tomus primus (editio altera ed.). Paris: Apud Victorem Palme. pp. 1189–1222, Instrumenta pp. 150–154.