Berland Pierre
Berland, Pierre
Archbishop of Bordeaux, b. 1375 in Médoc; d. 1457 at Bordeaux. Being of humble extraction, it was only through the liberality of friends that he was able to study the humanities at Bordeaux and canon law at Toulouse. Ordained priest, he was, first, secretary to the Archbishop of Bordeaux, then canon of St. Andrew’s, and afterwards pastor of Soliac. In 1430 he was made Archbishop of Bordeaux. During his incumbency, he took a great interest in educational matters, founded the University of Bordeaux, endowed St. Raphael’s College with twelve scholarships for indigent students, and in general won the character of a highly cultured and saintly prelate. His position as archbishop was most delicate. During the Hundred Years’ War, the province of Guyenne had showed marked preference for the English Crown. On the other hand, the conduct of the English toward Joan of Arc, martyred shortly after Berland’s preferment, coupled with the ambition of Henry VI, who had himself solemnly crowned King of France at Paris, could not meet the approval of the worthy archbishop. Twice he went north in an endeavour to bring his suzerain to greater moderation. Having failed in this, he transferred his allegiance to Charles VII, King of France, and was instrumental in bringing about the submission of the whole province to the French Crown, and with the termination of the Hundred Years’ War. Berland, old and inform, resigned his see in 1457 and died shortly afterwards, venerated by his people. His remains were laid at rest in the vault of the cathedral, and his name is yet honoured at Bordeaux. The tower he caused to be built at St. Andrew’s church in 1440, is called in his honour “Pey Berland” or “Pere Berland” even to this day. Louis XI had obtained from Sixtus IV the appointment of a commission with a view towards Berland’s beatification, but the cause fell through at that prince’s death. This fact, coupled with the veneration of the people, accounts for the appellation “Bienheureux Berland” by which he is known.
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Gallia Christ. (Paris, 1720), II; Moreri, Dict. hist. (Amsterdam, 1740); Comptes-rendus des travaux de la commission des monuments historiques de la Gironde (Paris, 1852).
J.F. SOLLIER Transcribed by Susan Birkenseer
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightImprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Berland Pierre
a French prelate, known to this day at Bordeaux under the name of Pey- Berland, was born about 1375, and was the son of a poor laborer of Medoc. He commenced by keeping the flocks, and advanced by his own merit so as to secure a place in history. He distinguished himself while a child by his precocious talents, his love of study, and his piety. It is supposed that the young shepherd was sent to a school at Bordeaux, where he studied the classics. From thence he went to a university at Toulouse, where he took the degree of bachelor of canonical law. On his return, in 1409, he became secretary of the archbishop and canon of the cathedral. After a trip to the Holy Land, he became rector of Soliac, and acquired a great reputation by his ability and moral character. The see of this great province became vacant in 1430, and Pierre Berland was appointed to fill the position. In 1440 he constructed at Bordeaux the grand tower of the Church of St. Andrew, which still bears the name of Pey-Berland. In 1441 he contributed largely to the municipal foundation of the University of Bordeaux, the legal existence of which was definitely confirmed by Louis XI in 1472. He also established at his own expense the College of St. Raphael, in which he established twelve scholarships for the benefit of poor pupils. The invasion of the French troops, who came to recover Guyenne in the name of Charles VII, and accomplish the expulsion of the English, brought to this prelate matters of serious importance. The capital was finally, however, surrendered to the representatives of Charles VIL The archbishop of Bordeaux still played a part, though less important, in the revolt of 1453, raised by the English, and which terminated in the submission of Guyenne. Bowed under the weight of years, he resigned his see in 1456. He died soon after, Jan. 17, 1457, in the enjoyment of public veneration and regarded as a saint, and was buried with great honor in the cathedral. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.