Gilbert Foliot (c. 1110 – 1187) was a medieval English monk and prelate, successively Abbot of Gloucester, Bishop of Hereford (Hereford Cathedral pictured) and Bishop of London. He became a monk at Cluny Abbey and was appointed Abbot of Gloucester in 1139. During the papal council at Reims in 1148, he was appointed Bishop of Hereford by Pope Eugene III. Despite promising not to recognise King Stephen, on returning to England Foliot nevertheless swore fealty to him, causing a temporary rift in his relationship with Henry of Anjou, the son of the Empress Matilda (Stephen's rival for the crown) who became King Henry II of England in 1154. Henry passed over Foliot for the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, appointing Thomas Becket instead. Foliot became Bishop of London in 1163, perhaps as compensation. During the great dispute between Becket and the king, Foliot took the king's side and was reviled by Becket and his supporters. Becket excommunicated Foliot on two occasions, the second of which precipitated the archbishop's martyrdom. Foliot often served as a royal judge, and was an active administrator and bishop. He was also a prolific letter writer.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Foliot

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1447:

Tomaso Parentucelli became Pope Nicholas V. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Nicholas_V

1834:

York, Upper Canada, was incorporated as Toronto, now the most populous city in Canada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto

1902:

Real Madrid, the world's richest football (soccer) club, was founded as Madrid Football Club. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_C.F.

1964:

In a radio broadcast, Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad announced that American boxer Cassius Clay would change his name to Muhammad Ali (pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

2008:

A Palestinian gunman shot and killed eight students and critically injured eleven in the library of the Mercaz HaRav Kook yeshiva in Jerusalem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercaz_HaRav_massacre

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

begorra: (Ireland) A mild minced oath; a euphemism for "by God". https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/begorra

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Who are you and who am I To say we know the reason why Some are born, some men die, Beneath one infinite sky? There'll be war, there'll be peace, But everything one day will cease, All the iron turned to rust, All the proud men turned to dust, And so all things time will mend, So this song will end.   --David Gilmour https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Gilmour