Editing Gilbert of Sempringham (section)

==Life==
Gilbert was born at [[Sempringham]], near [[Bourne, Lincolnshire|Bourne]] in Lincolnshire, the son of Jocelin, an [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] [[lord of the manor]], and an unnamed Anglo-Saxon mother. He had a brother, Roger, and a sister, Agnes.

Unusually for that period, his father actively prevented his son from becoming a knight, instead sending him to France, probably the [[University of Paris]] but possibly under [[Anselm of Laon]], to study theology. Some physical deformity may have made him unfit for military service, making an ecclesiastical career the best option. When he returned in 1120 he became a clerk in the household of [[Robert Bloet]], [[Bishop of Lincoln]], started a school for boys and girls (the existing primary school at [[Pointon]] is still named after him) and was ordained by Robert's successor, [[Alexander of Lincoln|Alexander]].<ref name=butler>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06557b.htm Butler, Richard Urban. "St. Gilbert of Sempringham." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 12 Oct. 2014]</ref> Offered the [[Archdeacon of Lincoln|archdeaconry of Lincoln]], he refused, saying that he knew no surer way to perdition.

In the period 1115<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Iredale|first=Eric W.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39982100|title=Sempringham and St. Gilbert and the Gilbertines|date=1992|publisher=E.W. Iredale|isbn=0-9519662-0-0|location=Pointon, Lincolnshire|oclc=39982100}}</ref>-1123<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1147481|desc=Church of St Mary, West Torrington|grade=II}}</ref> he was given both the vacant churches of Sempringham and [[West Torrington]], near [[Wragby]], by his father, Jocelin. In 1129 he became the Vicar of both St Andrew's, [[Sempringham]] and St Mary's, [[West Torrington]] having been instituted by Robert Bloet, Bishop of Lincoln.<ref name=":0" />

"Gilbert was a lover of truth and justice, chastity and sobriety, and a diligent cultivator of the other virtues: wherefore he was revered and praised by all and obtained their favour and regard. Even Jocelin now rejoiced in the goodness of his son, he began to cherish him with fatherly affection, and ministered to his needs out of his own riches. Gilbert would be in his late twenties when his father presented him to the vacant churches of Sempringham and West Torrington, which he had built on his own demesne 'in the custom of his country' "<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />