Simon was the son of Robert and was in the household of Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1194.
The next year, in 1202, Hubert Walter asked the king to allow Simon to have custody of Fleete Prison, as well as being the guardian of the heir of Robert of Leveland, who was going on crusade.
[6] After Simon's election he concentrated on building in his cathedral city, walling Chichester, and recovering lost lands of the diocese.
He did continue to work for the king up until the death of Hubert Walter, but after that event he no longer appears in royal service.
[3] He died 21 August 1207[6] while returning from pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela at St Giles in the south of France.