“Another street named after which Courcon?” you might ask. Indeed, there is a Rue de Courcon here in Paris. It’s not about the village of Courçon in southwestern France. That Courçon is a rural town. It has a church that looks like a fortified building. No, this Rue de Courcon honors Robert de Courçon.
Robert de Courçon was an English cardinal. He was born around 1160 in Kedleston. He died in 1218 in Damiette. Courçon studied in Oxford, Paris, and Rome. In 1211, he became chancellor of the University of Paris.
Pope Innocent III made him a cardinal in 1212. That same year, Courçon convened a council in Notre-Dame Cathedral. A reform code was issued. It contained canons for clerics, monks, nuns, and bishops. These canons regulated ecclesiastical life.
Courçon preached the Fifth Crusade in France. He also preached against the Albigensians. He served as the Pope’s legate. In August 1215, Courçon gave statutes to the University of Paris. He died during the siege of Damiette in 1218.
Robert de Courçon left behind writings. One is a treatise about usury. Georges-Joseph Lefèvre scientifically edited it in Lille in 1902.
Let’s not confuse Cardinal Robert de Courçon with others of the same name. There was Denis de Courson. He was from the diocese of Chartres. His family originated in England. They settled in France. In 1398, Denis was a canon of Notre-Dame de Paris. He also served as a sub-chanter. Élie de Courson also hailed from Chartres. He was a master of arts in 1342. In 1344, he became a canon of Notre-Dame de Paris. He earned a doctorate in theology in 1348. Élie was a penitentiary of the Notre-Dame chapter. He was also a canon of Sens. Plus, he was dean of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois.
Robert de Courçon was a significant figure. He impacted the University of Paris. He influenced religious reform. And he played a role in the Crusades. This street honors his contributions. It reminds us of a complex figure from the Middle Ages. So, when you walk this Rue de Courcon remember Cardinal Robert de Courçon. He was a man of learning, faith, and action.