Lewis of Luxembourg


Lewis of Luxembourg was an Archbishop of Rouen, Bishop of Ely, and Cardinal.
He was a younger son of John of Luxembourg, Lord of Beauvoir and Marguerite of Enghien.
Lewis was elected archbishop of Rouen in 1436. He was the leading native administrator/collaborator with the Lancastrian regime in France. His niece Jacquetta was the wife of John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford, who acted as regent for his nephew Henry VI.
As the Lancastrian position weakened, Lewis found his own fortunes and even personal safety becoming precarious. Although the city of Rouen did not fall to Charles VII of France until late 1449, well after Luxembourg's death, King Henry's government had long ago decided the archbishop needed and deserved remuneration and status based more securely in England. Thus he was provided to Ely 'in commendam' on 27 September 1437. This was the fifth wealthiest see in England, yet also amongst the smallest in terms of size or burden. He is not known ever to have visited it. He died on 18 September 1443.

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