Robert Blouet

Lincoln Cathedral - Photo © Dave Spellman, Oct 2006

Lincoln Cathedral Photo © Ian Carrington Dec 2005

This family came from Briqueville-la-Blouette, in Normandy. Robert Blouet, the chaplain to William the Conqueror, was later promoted to the see of Lincoln, which he held from 1093 to 1123. He witnessed a charter of William I. Richard and William Blouet occur in Normandy in 1084, and Ralph Blouet, an under-tenant in Hampshire in 1086 (Domesday) is mentioned in the Monasticon Anglicanum as a benefactor to Gloucester abbey. Godfry Bloet appears in an act of Mont-Saint-Michel in 1185. The family was long prominent in the west of England and in Normandy until the 18th century, when Blouet de Cahagnolles of the bailiwick of Caen was a member of the great assembly of nobles in 1789. From this family descended the lords of Raglan. --(This name appears on the Falaise Roll)

Robert Bloet (d. 1123), English bishop, was chancellor to William I of England and William Rufus. From the latter he received the see of Lincoln (1093) in succession to Remigius de Fécamp. His private character was indifferent; but he administered his see with skill and prudence, built largely, and kept a magnificent household, which served as a training-school even for the sons of nobles. Bloet was active in assisting Henry I of England during the rebellion of 1102, and became that monarch's justiciar. Latterly, however, he fell out of favor, and, although he had been very rich, was impoverished by the fines which the king extorted from him. Perhaps his wealth was his chief offence in the king's eyes; for he was in attendance on Henry when seized with his last illness. He was the patron of the chronicler Henry of Huntingdon, whom he advanced to an archdeaconry.