Henry, born at Suliac,
Berry, France, was a younger son of
Eudes Archambaud, lord of
Sully-sur-Loire, and Matilda of Baugency. Henry had two brothers—father's successor,
Gilles III of Sully and
Eudes of Sully, who would become
Bishop of Paris. Henry entered the Cistercian Order and became abbot of
Notre-Dame de Saint-Lieu. In 1183, Henry was elected patriarch and Archbishop of Bourges. Urban III named Henry a cardinal in 1186, at the
consistory of
Pentecost Saturday. Henry was
legate in
Aquitaine. He did participate in any
papal elections. In 1199, Henry served as mediator of a dispute between Guy II,
Count of Auvergne and his brother
Robert of Auvergne,
Bishop of Clermont, that resulted in a state of civil war in
Auvergne. The mediation failed and Guy was excommunicated. Following Henry's death, Henry’s brother Eudes, Bishop of Paris, was called upon to nominate a successor, and finding consensus impossible among the factions, he prayed for divine guidance and drew lots, selecting (future Saint)
William of Donjeon, who was duly elected.
Alain de Lille would dedicate his
Liber poenitenitalis to Henry de Sully. ==See also==