Grossetete, Robert

An Encyclopaedia of Occultism (1920)

Bishop of Lincoln from 1235, and generally known as Robert of Lincoln. Among his many accomplishments he is said to have numbered some proficiency in the art of magic. Born of poor parents, he was early compelled to earn his own living, and even at times to beg for bread. He was at length "discovered" by the Mayor of Lincoln, who was attracted by his appearance and the shrewdness of his remarks, and had him sent to school, where his remarkable capacity for study so helped his advancement that he was enabled to complete his education at Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris. The illustrious Roger Bacon characterised him and his friend, Friar Adam de Marisco, as the most learned men of their time. He was well skilled in the sciences of mathematics and astronomy, and a master of Greek and Hebrew. As a member of the clergy he distinguished himself chiefly by his vigorous denunciation of the abuses in the court of Rome, and particularly of the pope, Innocent IV., whose rule added but little lustre to the church. Grossetête did not hesitate to point out the misdeeds of the ecclesiastical dignitaries, many of whom had never even visited their various sees. And he openly pronounced Innocent to be the Antichrist. His essays in necromancy include (Gower tells us) the making of a brazen head, which would answer questions and foretell the future. However, this would appear to be no unique accomplishment, as both Pope Silvester II., and Roger Bacon are credited with it.