[1] In a document of 818, a Bermond is noted as count of Lugdunensis, a non-hereditary appointment made by Charlemagne.
The cathedral chapter of Lyon was among the most eminent of France and claimed to have been founded by "John, king of Burgundy" [sic] who filled it with lords of the noblest houses.
The canons enjoyed some extraordinary privileges: they officiated at mass with the mitre of a bishop on their heads, whether priest or deacon or sub-deacon.
[7] A transcription made in 1672, of an old document records that "none, with the exception of the counts, may put his coat-of-arms on the altar during celebration of masses for the dead".
[8] Their extraordinary pretension drew a censure from the Sorbonne, 18 April 1555, condemning the refusal of the canon-counts to genuflect at the elevation of the Host; the dispute, in which the Dean and the canon-counts were opposed, had to be taken to the Cardinal of Lorraine and the Cardinal de Tournon for adjudication, where they were reminded that even the kings of France bent the knee at this occasion; however, the canons obtained an order in council on 23 August 1555 maintaining them in this privilege,[9] which they renounced voluntarily in the reign of Louis XIV for fear of the king's displeasure.