High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Theobald (sometimes Tedbald; c. 1090 – 18 April 1161) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1139 to 1161. He was a Norman; his exact birth date is unknown. Some time in the late 11th or early 12th century Theobald became a monk at the Abbey of Bec, rising to the position of abbot in 1137. King Stephen of England chose him to be Archbishop of Canterbury in 1138. Canterbury`s claim to primacy over the Welsh ecclesiastics was resolved during Theobald`s term of office when Pope Eugene III decided in 1148 in Canterbury`s favour. Theobald faced challenges to his authority from a subordinate bishop, Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, and his relationship with King Stephen was turbulent. On one occasion Stephen forbade him to attend a papal council, but Theobald defied the king, which resulted in the confiscation of his property and temporary exile. Theobald`s relations with his cathedral clergy and the monastic houses in his archdiocese were also difficult.