Roger Niger

Roger Niger (died 1241) was a thirteenth-century cleric who became Bishop of London. He is also known as Saint Roger of Beeleigh.

In 1192 Niger was named a canon of St Paul's Cathedral, London, and he held the prebend of Ealdland in the diocese of London. In 1218 he was promoted to Archdeacon of Colchester.^[1] He was elected Bishop of London in 1228, and was consecrated bishop on 10 June 1229.^[2][3]

Niger died on 29 September 1241^[2] or on 2 October 1241^[3] and during his burial in Old St Paul's Cathedral, there was an eclipse of the sun. There was a tomb memorial to him in the quire there.^[4] His heart was taken to Beeleigh Abbey near Maldon in Essex. Both sites became places of pilgrimage and he was referred to as a saint, although no formal canonisation has been located. He was, however, called a saint by at least one Pope. In 1391, Pope Boniface IX granted relaxation to penitents visiting and giving alms to Beeleigh Abbey on the anniversary of his death.^[5]

• Nunn, S. P. St Roger of Beeleigh, Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group