BLOET

bloet, robert (d. 1123), english bishop, was chancellor to william i. and rufus. from the latter he received the see of lincoln (1093) in succession to remigius. his private character was indifferent; but he administered his see with skill and prudence, built largely, and kept a magnificent household, which served as a training-school even for the sons of nobles. bloet was active in assisting henry i. during the rebellion of 1102, and became that monarch's justiciar. latterly, however, he fell out of favour, and, although he had been very rich, was impoverished by the fines which the king extorted from him. perhaps his wealth was his chief offence in the king's eyes; for he was in attendance on henry when seized with his last illness. he was the patron of the chronicler henry of huntingdon, whom he advanced to an archdeaconry. henry of huntingdon and w. malmesbury (_de gestis pontificum_) are original authorities. see e.a. freeman's _william rufus_; sir james ramsay, _the foundations of england_, vol. ii. (h. w. c. d.)