Theobald (died 1161)

Theobald, Abbot of Bec, became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1138, but at first had to play second fiddle to Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and papal legate. Theobald tried not to give his support too enthusiastically to either King Stephen or the Empress Matilda, although he recrowned Stephen in 1141. In 1143 he asserted his control over the English church when Henry of Blois ceased to be papal legate. In 1150 Theobald was himself made legate. He negotiated an agreement about the succession between Stephen and the future Henry II in 1153, and when Henry became king recommended Thomas Becket as his successor.