Editing Nicholas of Ely (section)

==Life==

Nicholas was [[Archdeacon of Ely]] when he was first appointed chancellor by [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] in 1260, but he was sacked in favour of [[Walter de Merton]] in 1261.<ref name=Handbook85>Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 85</ref> His politics were in favour of the Montfortian dispensation in parliament created by the Provisions of Oxford.  He supported the new activism for which compromises could be extracted on liberties from the King in exchange for voting money.  But on his return from France, Henry III was absolved by the Pope from upholding the provisions. A bull was published in which the reforms were renounced.  Both the Justiciar, Hugh Despenser, and the Chancellor were dismissed in favour of the faction around the Marcher Lords.  However the offices of state were not abolished, and nor would the overthrow of the provisions mean punishment for the former officials.

Nicholas also held [[prebend]]s in the [[diocese of London]] and was a papal chaplain.<ref name=BHOArchDEly>[http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33865 British History Online Archdeacons of Ely] accessed on 2 November 2007</ref> Nicholas was a popular reformist figure when he returned to office, although De Montfort insisted that the Council now had the power to appoint, he was appointed Treasurer at the Oxford parliament in April 1263.<ref>J.R.Maddicott, ''Montfort,'', pp.239-41.</ref>  Montfort's victory at Windsor and Bristol over the royalists could mean that Nicholas would once more be favoured by his ally, he was granted the office of Chancellor in August, but lost both offices later in the year.<ref name=Handbook85/><ref name=Handbook104>Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 104</ref><ref>T.Wykes, ''Annales Monastici: The Chronicle of Thomas Wykes,''vol.4, ed.H.R. Luard, (London, 1869).</ref> He was elected to the [[see of Worcester]] about 8 June 1266 and consecrated on 19 September 1266.<ref name=Handbook279>Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 279</ref> He was enthroned at [[Worcester Cathedral]] on 26 September 1266.<ref name=BHOWorc>[http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33881 British History Online Bishops of Worcester] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809060958/http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33881 |date=9 August 2011 }} accessed on 2 November 2007</ref>

Nicholas was translated to the [[see of Winchester]] on 2 March 1268<ref name=Handbook276>Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 276</ref> by [[Pope Clement IV]]. He was enthroned at [[Winchester Cathedral]] on 27 May 1268.<ref name=BHOWinch>[http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33876 British History Online Bishops of Winchester] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214060539/http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33876 |date=14 February 2012 }} accessed on 2 November 2007</ref>

Nicholas died on 12 February 1280.<ref name=Handbook276/>