Bernard (Archdeacon of Totnes)
Bernard (died after 1134) was a medieval cleric and administrator in England. He is primarily known for serving as the Archdeacon of Totnes, a significant ecclesiastical office within the Diocese of Exeter.
While specific details of Bernard's early life and background are scarce, his tenure as Archdeacon of Totnes provides insight into his role within the Church hierarchy. Archdeacons were responsible for overseeing a specific geographic area within a diocese, ensuring the enforcement of ecclesiastical law, managing church property, and generally assisting the bishop in the administration of the diocese.
Bernard is documented as holding the Archdeaconry of Totnes as early as 1107. The period coincided with the reign of Henry I and saw significant development and reform within the English Church. Bernard would have been involved in the implementation of these reforms within his archdeaconry.
Records indicate Bernard participated in ecclesiastical affairs and witnessed charters alongside other prominent church figures of the time. His presence in these records helps to establish a timeline of his active service.
The date of his death is not definitively known, but records suggest that he was still holding the office of Archdeacon of Totnes until at least 1134.
Further research may reveal more specific details regarding Bernard's activities, his relationship with the Bishop of Exeter, and his influence within the local community of Totnes and the wider region. However, the existing historical records provide a basic outline of his career as a church official during a pivotal period in English history.