NORWICH: Bishops (originally of Elmham and Thetford)

Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces). Originally published by Institute of Historical Research, London, 1971.

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'NORWICH: Bishops (originally of Elmham and Thetford)', in Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces), ed. Diana E Greenway( London, 1971), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp55-58 [accessed 23 November 2024].

'NORWICH: Bishops (originally of Elmham and Thetford)', in Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces). Edited by Diana E Greenway( London, 1971), British History Online, accessed November 23, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp55-58.

"NORWICH: Bishops (originally of Elmham and Thetford)". Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces). Ed. Diana E Greenway(London, 1971), , British History Online. Web. 23 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp55-58.

BISHOPS OF NORWICH

(originally Elmham and Thetford)

In 1066 the diocese which comprised Norfolk and Suffolk had its cathedral at NorthElmham (Norfolk). Arfast moved the see to Thetford in 1071, and attempted unsuccessfully to move to Bury St. Edmunds. In 1094 or 1095 the see was moved to Norwichby Herbert Losinga. (fn. 1)

Æthelmær

Cons. bp. of Elmham, presum. after Aug. 1047 (Flor. Wig. 1 193, cf. ibid. p. 200and A.S.C. 'C', 'D', 'E' p. 110). Deposed c. 11 Apr. 1070 by Ermenfrid, bp. of Sion,papal legate (Flor. Wig. 11 5; ann. Bury in U.G.Q. p. 129). Brother of Stigand, abp. ofCanterbury (1052-70) (Flor. Wig. 11 5).

Arfast or Herfast

Cons. bp. of Elmham 1070 (Flor. Wig. 11 6; ann. Bury in U.G.Q. p. 129). Prof. obed.,n.d. (Ang. Sac. 1 80). Removed see to Thetford 1071 or early 1072 (see B. Dodwell inTrans. Royal Hist. Soc. 5th ser. vii (1957) 2). D. 1084 (Ann. Wint. p. 34). Commem.27 Jan. (Will. Worcestre Itineraries, ed. J. H. Harvey (1969) pp. 164-5).

William de Bello Fago (fn. 2)

Royal clk. Nom. 25 Dec. 1085 (A.S.C. 'E' p. 161; Flor. Wig. 11 18). Cons. bp. ofElmham n.d. (Gerv. Cant. 11 367). Prof. obed. n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 167). D. orres. before 27 Jan. 1091 (see below).

Herbert Losinga

Abbot of Ramsey (Ben., Hunts.) (Chron. Ramsey, ed. W. D. Macray (Rolls ser.lxxxiii) p. 340). Cons. bp. of Thetford before 27 Jan. 1091 (Will. Malmesbury, G.P.p. 151; Regesta 1 no. 315), (fn. 3) prob. the same time as Ralph Luffa, bp. of Chichester, i.e.prob. 5 Jan. 1091 (ann. Chichester in U.G.Q. p. 93; cf. Reg. Antiquissimum of Lincoln, 1ed. C. W. Foster (Lincoln Record Soc. xxvii) 10, and Hugh the Chantor: Hist. ofChurch of York, ed. C. Johnson (1961) p. 7). (fn. 4) Prof. obed. to abp. of York, sede vacanteCanterbury (Woodruff, Professions p. 167). Removed see to Norwich 1094 or 1095,although not consistently called bp. of Norwich until c. 1103 (see B. Dodwell in Trans.Royal Hist. Soc. 5th ser. vii (1957) 6-7). D. 22 July 1119 (First Reg. Norw. p. 56; JohnWorc. p. 14). Commem. 23 July (Norwich obits. I p. 151, II fo. 6r, III p. 5).

Everard of Calne (fn. 5)

King's chapl. and preb. of London and prob. archdcn. in Salisbury dioc. El. soonafter 13 March 1121 and royal assent immediately (Eadmer, H.N. p. 293; cf. notification by clergy and people to abp., n.d., B.M., Harley roll A 3(1)). Cons. 12 June 1121(Eadmer, H.N. p. 294; First Reg. Norw. pp. 56-7). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff,Professions p. 168). Last occ. as bp. Feb. or March 1145 (Saltman, Theobald no. 223).Res. and became a monk at Fontenay (Cist., Côte-d'Or, France) 1145 (First Reg. Norw.p. 70; ann. Horsham fo. 9r). (fn. 6) D. 1146 (First Reg. Norw. p. 70; Oxenedes p. 53; cf.ann. Horsham fo. 9r). (fn. 7) Buried at Fontenay before 21 Sept. 1147 (see J. H. Druery inNorf. Archaeology v (1859) 46-7). Commem. 12 Oct. (Norwich obits. I p. 10, II fo. 7v,III p. 6v).

William de Turba

Prior of Norwich (below p. 59). El. 1146/7 (Hen. Hunt. p. 316; Gerv. Cant. 1 130).Cons. 1146 or perhaps early in 1147 (First Reg. Norw. p. 70 and ann. Canterbury inU.G.Q. p. 81 give 1146/7; (fn. 8) ann. Horsham fo. 9r and Oxenedes p. 432 give 1147). (fn. 9) Prof.obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 168). D. 16 Jan. 1174 (First Reg. Norw. pp. 76, 82;Diceto 1 354), 17 Jan. (Bart. Cotton p. 393). (fn. 10) Commem. 16 Jan. (Norwich obit. I p. 51),17 Jan. (obit. II fo. 3r).

John of Oxford

Dean of Salisbury. El. 26 Nov. 1175 (Diceto 1 403). Cons. 14 Dec. 1175 (ibid.;First Reg. Norw. pp. 76, 82; ann. Horsham fo. 9v). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff,Professions p. 171). D. 2 June 1200 (Bart. Cotton p. 393). Commem. 2 June (Norwichobits. II fo. 5v, III p. 4v; Canterbury obits. II fo. 29v, III fo. 191r).

John de Grey

Archdcn. of Gloucester (see below p. 108). El. before 3 Sept. 1200 (Rot. Chart. p. 75).Cons. and prof. obed. 24 Sept. 1200 (Diceto 11 169; Canterbury, Cart. Ant. C. 115/64d).Abp.-el. of Canterbury 1205-6 (see above p. 5). Bp.-el. of Durham 1214 (see abovep. 31; cf. Rot. Litt. Pat. p. 113; Innocent III, Cal. Letters no. 971). D. 18 Oct. 1214(Bart. Cotton p. 393). Commem. 18 Oct. (Norwich obits. I p. 10; III p. 6v; Canterburyobits. I fo. 14r, III fo. 233r), 19 Oct. (Norwich obit. II fo. 7v).

Pandulph Masca

Royal letter urging an el. to take place, dated 18 July 1215 (Rot. Litt. Pat. p. 149b).Pandulph el. before 9 Aug. 1215, when received temps. (ibid. p. 152). Cons. 29 May1222 (Ann. Waverley p. 296). Appd. papal legate 1 Sept. 1218 (Reg. Hon. III no.1609; cf. ibid. no. 1621); (fn. 11) terminated summer 1221, by 19 July (Flor. Hist. 11 172-3).D. 16 Sept. 1226 (Bart. Cotton p. 394). (fn. 12) Commem. 16 Sept. (Norwich obit. I p. 9;Canterbury obit. II fo. 41v), 17 Sept. (Norwich obit. II fo. 7r).

Thomas de Blundeville

King's clk. (cf. Pat. R. 1225-32 p. 27). Lic. el. gr. 27 Oct. 1226 (ibid. p. 69). (fn. 13) El. Oct.(ann. Dover fo. 26r). Royal assent 5 Nov., temps. 21 Nov. (Pat. R. 1225-32 pp. 89, 92).

Ordained pr. 19 Dec. (ann. Dover fo. 26r), cons. 20 Dec. 1226 (ibid.; Ann. Waverleyp. 302; cf. Acta S. Langton no. 96). (fn. 14) Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 173).D. 16 Aug. 1236 (Chron. Bury p. 9; Chron. Maj. 111 378). (fn. 15) Commem. 16 Aug. (Norwichobits. I p. 8, II fo. 6v, III p. 5v; Canterbury obits. II fo. 38r, III fo. 211r).

[Simon of Elmham

Prior of Norwich (below p. 60). Lic. el. gr. 22 Aug. 1236 (C.P.R. 1232-47 p. 156).El. before 9 Nov. 1236, but royal objections and appeal to pope (ibid. p. 167; cf.Chron. Maj. 111 389). Papal mandate delegating to legate, cardinal Otto, 16 June 1237(Reg. Greg. IX nos. 3758-9). Case before legate 15 Jan. 1238 (Cal. Liberate Rolls 1 (1916)299). El. qua. by pope 17 Jan. 1239 (Reg. Greg. IX no. 4714; cf. Chron. Maj. 111 525).]

William de Ralegh

Treas. of Exeter and preb. of London. Royal justice. Papal mandate for fresh el.,dated 17 Jan. 1239 (Reg. Greg. IX no. 4714). El. 10 Apr. (Chron. Bury p. 10). Temps.after 4 June (Cal. Liberate Rolls 1 (1916) 392) and perhaps before 26 July (ibid. p. 403).Cons. 25 Sept. 1239 (Ann. Oseney and Chron. Wykes p. 86; cf. Ann. Waverley p. 323).Prof. obed., n.d. (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 230r). Trans. to Winchester, papal conf.Sept. 1243, temps. Sept. 1244 (below p. 86).

M. Walter de Suffield (fn. 16)

Canonist at Paris (Bart. Cotton p. 394). Lic. el. refused because king's objections totrans. of Ralegh, and case to pope before 3 Dec. 1243 (C.P.R. 1232-47 p. 409; cf.below p. 86). Suffield el. before 9 July 1244, when received royal assent (C.P.R. 1232-47p. 431). Temps. 17 July (Close R. 1242-47 p. 211). Cautio for his cons. outside Canterbury dated 20 Feb. 1245 (Canterbury, Cart. Ant. C.126(2)). (fn. 17) Cons. 26 Feb. 1245 (Ann.Waverley p. 336). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 173). D. 19 May 1257(First Reg. Norw. p. 142; Chron. Maj. v 638). (fn. 18) Commem. 19 May (Norwich obits.I p. 116, II fo. 5r, III p. 4).

M. Simon de Wauton

Royal justice (cf. C.P.R. 1247-58 p. 436). Lic. el. gr. 28 May 1257 (ibid. p. 557). El.4 June (First Reg. Norw. p. 142). Royal assent 10 June (C.P.R. 1247-58 p. 559). Abp.'sconf. c. 3 Aug. (First Reg. Norw. p. 142 gives 3 Aug.; Ann. Worc. p. 444 gives 4 Aug.;Chron. Maj. v 648 gives c. 1 Aug.). Temps. before 11 Aug. 1257 (C.P.R. 1247-58p. 574). Cons. 10 March 1258 (Bart. Cotton p. 394; Chron. Maj. v 667; Ann. Worc.p. 444), (fn. 19) and prof. obed. same day (Woodruff, Professions p. 174). Enthr. 17 March1258 (Ann. Worc. p. 444). Said to be infirm and ordered by pope to find a coadjutor,29 Sept. 1265 (Les Registres de Clément IV, ed. E. Jordan (Bibl. des Écoles Françaisesd'Athènes et de Rome, 2nd ser. xi) no. 155). D. 2 Jan. 1266 (First Reg. Norw. p. 142;Bart. Cotton pp. 141, 394). Commem. 2 Jan. (Norwich obit. II fo. 3r), 4 Jan. (obit.I p. 43 n. 1).

Roger de Skerning (fn. 20)

Prior of Norwich (below p. 61). El. 23 Jan. 1266 (First Reg. Norw. p. 142). Royalassent 9 Feb. (C.P.R. 1258-66 p. 548). Temps. 17 March, after conf. by papal legate(ibid. p. 570). Cons. 4 Apr. 1266 (First Reg. Norw. p. 142). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff,Professions p. 175). Still alive 8 Jan. 1278 (C.P.R. 1272-81 p. 252). (fn. 21) D. 22 Jan. 1278(Chron. Bury p. 65; Bart. Cotton pp. 156, 395). (fn. 22) Commem. 22 Jan. (Norwich obit.II fo. 3r; Canterbury obit. III fo. 160v).

M. William de Middleton

Archdcn. of Canterbury (above p. 15). Lic. el. gr. 11 Feb. 1278 (C.P.R. 1272-81p. 259). (fn. 23) El. 24 Feb. (First Reg. Norw. p. 146; Bart. Cotton p. 156; Chron. Bury p. 65).Royal assent 6 March (C.P.R. 1272-81 p. 260). Temps. 16 March (ibid. p. 261). Cons.29 May (Bart. Cotton p. 157; Ann. Dunstable p. 278; Chron. Wykes p. 276). Prof. obed.,n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 176). Enthr. 27 Nov. 1278 (Bart. Cotton p. 157). D.either 31 Aug. 1288 (ibid. p. 395; Chron. Bury p. 91) or 1 Sept. (First Reg. Norw. p. 146;Ann. Oseney and Chron. Wykes p. 315). (fn. 24) Commem. 1 Sept. (Norwich obits. I p. 9,II fo. 7r).

M. Ralph de Walpole

Archdcn. of Ely (above p. 52). Lic. el. gr. 10 Oct. 1288 (Norwich, Reg. III fos.74v-75r). El. 11 Nov. 1288 (First Reg. Norw. p. 146; Bart. Cotton pp. 169, 395).Abp.'s conf. 1 Feb. 1289 (First Reg. Norw. p. 146; Bart. Cotton p. 170). Temps.7 Feb. (C.P.R. 1281-92 p. 312). Cons. 20 March 1289 (First Reg. Norw. p. 146; Bart.Cotton pp. 170, 395). Prof. obed., n.d. (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 230v). Trans. to Ely,papal prov. June 1299, temps. Oct. (see above p. 47).

John Salmon alias of Ely

Prior of Ely (above p. 50), and still prior 5 June 1299 (Reg. Bon. VIII no. 3132).Papal prov. by 18 June (ibid. no. 3075). Said to have been el. 15 June (Bart. Cottonp. 395). Temps. 19 Oct. (C.P.R. 1292-1301 p. 442). Cons. 15 Nov. 1299 (Reg. Winchelsey 11 693; Chron. Ramsey, ed. W. D. Macray (Rolls ser. lxxxiii) p. 370). (fn. 25) D. 6 July1325 (Norwich, Norf. and Norwich R.O., Reg. J. Salmon fo. 119v). Commem. 6 July(Norwich obit. II fo. 6r), 5 July (obit. III p. 5).

Footnotes

  • 1. See B. Dodwell, 'The foundation of Norwich cathedral', Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. 5th ser. vii (1957)1-18.
  • 2. Cf. below p. 67 n. 2.
  • 3. The statement in First Reg. Norw. p. 56 that he d. in his 29th year confirms 1091 for his cons.
  • 4. Ann. Chichester says 'die Epiphanie' for Ralph Luffa's cons., i.e. 6 Jan., Monday.
  • 5. Calne, Wilts.; see Fasti 1066-1300 1 (1968) 61. His nephew Peter who occ. in B.M., Campbellch. xii 2 is prob. to be identified with Peter de Calna who occ. in B.M., Topham ch. 3.
  • 6. Hen. Hunt. p. 316 says he was deposed. On this topic, see Saltman, Theobald pp. 102-3.
  • 7. Bart. Cotton p. 392 gives 12 Oct. 1150, but p. 67 gives 1146 for d. of Elias, prior of Norwich,who actually d. 22 Oct. 1150 (see below p. 59). Flor. Hist. 11 68 gives 1149.
  • 8. The annals place Robert, earl of Gloucester's d. under the same year, but this took place in Oct.1147 (Gesta Stephani, ed. K. R. Potter (1955) p. 139 and n. 2). The annals are not generally a year out,however, and as the cons. is said to have been at St. Augustine's, the annalist had good sources.
  • 9. Oxenedes pp. 53, 54 says he succeeded in 1146 and was cons. in 1148. Bart. Cotton pp. 68, 393 givesthe date of his succession as 1150.
  • 10. Where because of the discrepancy over the date of his succession (above n. 4), the year is givenas the 25th of his pontificate.
  • 11. For his missions as papal nuncio, in 1211 and 1213-15, see Tillmann, Legaten pp. 94-8.
  • 12. Chron. Bury p. 6 gives 16 Aug.
  • 13. Blundeville was made custodian during the vacancy, 24 Oct. 1226 (Pat. R. 1225-32 p. 67).
  • 14. Chron. Bury p. 6 gives 21 Dec. 1226, Monday.
  • 15. Bart. Cotton p. 394 gives 17 Aug. 1236; First Reg. Norw. p. 126 gives 30 Aug. 1236.
  • 16. ?Suffield, Norf.
  • 17. This suggests that Chron. Bury's date for the cons., 19 Feb. 1245, is wrong (Chron. Bury p. 13).
  • 18. Bart. Cotton p. 394 gives 18 May 1257.
  • 19. First Reg. Norw. p. 142 gives 25 March 1258, Monday.
  • 20. ?Scarning, Norf.
  • 21. This disproves the date for his d. given in Ann. Oseney p. 275, of 25 Nov. 1277. Chron. Wykes p. 275gives 'soon after Christmas'.
  • 22. First Reg. Norw. p. 146 gives 23 Jan. 1278. He had certainly d. by 4 Feb. (cart. of Eye: B.M.,Egerton MS. 3140 fo. 46v).
  • 23. Given as 12 Feb. in Norwich, Reg. III fo. 74v.
  • 24. He had certainly d. by 12 Sept. 1288 (C.C.R. 1279-88 p. 515), which is the date given for his burialin Bart. Cotton p. 169 and Chron. Bury p. 91. Gerv. Cant. (cont.) 11 294 gives 18 Sept. for his d.
  • 25. Ann. Worc. p. 543 says '17 kal. Sept.' (16 Aug.), prob. intending '17 kal. Dec' (15 Nov.).
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