[1][2] His episcopal career spanned a period of political transition marked by upheaval, where links with the kings were more the result of personal relationships than institutionalised loyalty.

[4] His resolute attitude towards John, even as a loyal follower of his predecessors, demonstrated the esprit de corps within the episcopate, opposing the king's cruelty towards his nephew Arthur.

When Philip Augustus took control of Maine in 1202, Hamelin initially refused to pay homage, but eventually bowed to the seizure of his revenues.

[1] Despite the influence of the Plantagenets on Maine, Hamelin managed to maintain a degree of autonomy and pragmatic thinking in his relations with them, as well as with the Capetians.

His middle-of-the-road attitude reflects the complexity of relations between bishops and temporal powers, where personal interests and political considerations often took precedence over institutional loyalties.