Richard Marsh, Bishop of Durham

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Richard Marsh
Denomination Catholic
Senior posting
See Diocese of Durham
Title Bishop of Durham
Period in office 1217–1226
Predecessor Morgan
Successor William Scot
Religious career
Previous post Archdeacon of Northumberland
Personal
Date of death May 1, 1226

Richard Marsh, also called Richard de Marisco served as Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Durham.

[edit] Life

He attended a university, as he was styled magister, but which university it was is unknown. His ancestry and upbringing likewise are unknown.[1] He was a royal clerk and canon of Exeter Cathedral before becoming Archdeacon of Northumberland by November 1, 1211. He was also Archdeacon of Richmond.[2] During that time he was also serving in the financial administration. In 1210 he earned a mention as one of the the king's "evil councilors."[1]

During 1212 he held the office of sheriff of Somerset and Dorset. Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, threatened Marsh with excommunication over Marsh's exactions from the Church during the interdict of John's reign. Marsh went to Rome in 1213, to negotiate on both his own behalf and on his king's behalf, and succeeded in getting much more lenient terms from the pope than had originally been given.[1] He served as Chancellor from October 29, 1214 until his death.[3] However, his title was mostly honorary after his election as a bishop, for he no longer attended court all the time, and Ralph Neville, who had custody of the king's seal, did most of the actual work of the office of chancellor.[1]

He was elected Bishop of Durham about June 27, 1217[4] and consecrated probably on July 2, 1217.[5] His election had been promoted by the papal legate, Guala Bicchieri, and his consecration was performed by Archbishop Walter de Gray of York at Gloucester.[1]

In 1224, when Fawkes de Breaute kidnapped a royal justice and held him in Bedford Castle, Marsh voluntarily contributed to the carucage that had been voted by the clergy of the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury, even though he was a member of the province of York. This carucage was voted to help with the expenses of the siege and taking of Bedford Castle.[6] Marsh continued the quarrel between the cathedral chapter and the bishops over the revenues and rights of the monks.[1]

He died on May 1, 1226,[4] quite suddenly at Peterborough Abbey while on his way to London for a hearing in the lawsuit between the monks and himself. His nephew, Adam Marsh, was his heir, and received his large library as a bequest.[1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Stacey, Robert C. "Marsh, Richard (d. 1226)" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  2. ^ British History Online Archdeacons of Northumberland accessed on October 25, 2007
  3. ^ Powicke Handbook of British Chronology p. 82
  4. ^ a b Powicke Handbook of British Chronology p. 220
  5. ^ British History Online Bishops of Durham accessed on October 25, 2007
  6. ^ Powell House of Lords in the Middle Ages p. 141

[edit] References

Political offices
Preceded by
Walter de Gray		 Lord Chancellor
1214–1226		 Succeeded by
Ralph Neville
Roman Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Morgan		 Bishop of Durham
1217–1226		 Succeeded by
William Scot
Persondata
NAME Marsh, Richard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES de Marisco, Richard
SHORT DESCRIPTION Bishop of Durham, Lord Chancellor of England
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH May 1, 1226
PLACE OF DEATH
Languages