Baldwin of Forde

Baldwin of Forde (sometimes just Baldwin or Baldwin of Ford; c. 1125 – 19 November 1190) is Archbishop of Canterbury between 1185 and 1190.

The son of a clergyman, he studies canon law and theology at Bologna and is tutor to Pope Eugene III's nephew before returning to England to serve successive bishops of Exeter.

After becoming a Cistercian monk he is named abbot of his monastery, and subsequently elected to the episcopate at Worcester.

Before becoming a bishop, he writes theological works and sermons, some of which have survived.

As a bishop, Baldwin comes to the attention of King Henry II of England, who is so impressed he insists that Baldwin become archbishop.

In that office, Baldwin quarrels with his cathedral clergy over the founding of a church, which leads to the imprisonment of the clergy in their cloister for more than a year.

Baldwin spends some time in Wales with Gerald of Wales, preaching and raising money for the Third Crusade.

After the coronation of King Richard I of England, the new king sends Baldwin ahead to the Holy Land, where he becomes embroiled in the politics of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Baldwin dies in the Holy Land while participating in the crusade; his long-running dispute with his clergy leads one chronicler to characterize Baldwin as more damaging to Christianity than Saladin.

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