Jocelin of Wells

Jocelin of Wells[a] (died 19 November 1242) was a medieval Bishop of Bath (and Glastonbury).

He was also active in his diocese, ordering construction on the cathedral at Wells, and issuing rules for his diocesan clergy.

During his time as bishop, he settled a dispute between his diocese and Glastonbury Abbey that had started during the bishopric of his predecessor.

[6] The name Jocelin Trotman or Thotman, by which he was occasionally known by some modern historians, only dates from the Margam Annals, and is not contemporary with his life.

[3] It is unclear if the cathedral chapters of Bath and of Wells took the action on their own, or if King John was the driving force behind the election.

[8] Jocelin was one of the main advisors of King John during the dispute with the pope over Stephen Langton's appointment to the Archbishopric of Canterbury.

Jocelin, along with Gilbert Glanvill, the Bishop of Rochester, was the subject of a mocking song on his conduct during the interdict.

Later, Jocelin was present at the battle with Eustace the Monk in 1217, which helped to secure Henry's rule.

A. Robinson felt that as part of the settlement, Jocelin began to use the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, but another historian, David Knowles, disagreed.

[21] Jocelin promulgated a set of constitutions for the diocese, ordered that his diocesan clergy reside in their benefices, and gave land and income to the cathedral school.

Other construction work undertaken by Jocelin included the cloisters and bishop's palace at Wells, and a manor house at Wookey.