Walter Skirlaw

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Walter Skirlaw
Denomination Catholic
Senior posting
See Diocese of Durham
Title Bishop of Durham
Period in office 1388–1406
Religious career
Previous bishoprics Bishop of Coventry, Bishop of Bath and Wells
Previous post Bishop of Bath and Wells
Personal
Place of birth Swine, East Riding of Yorkshire
Date of death March 24, 1406

Walter Skirlaw (also Walter de Skirlaw, Walter Skirclaw, Walter Skirlaugh, Walter Shirlagh, or Walter Skarlawe) (born Swine parish, Holderness,[1][2] brought up at Skirlaugh; died 1406) was an English bishop and diplomat. He was Bishop of Durham from 1388 to 1406. He was an important adviser to Richard II of England and Henry IV of England.[3]

[edit] Life

He was archdeacon of Northampton, from 1381.[4] In 1382 he was given custody of the privy seal, filling the office of Lord Privy Seal, which office he held until 1386.[5] He was elected bishop of bishop of Lichfield and Coventry on June 28, 1385, and consecrated on January 14, 1386.[6][7] Then he was translated to be bishop of Bath and Wells on August 18, 1386.[8] On April 3, 1388 he was once again transferred, this time to the see of Durham.[9] He would have become archbishop of York in 1398, but Richard II overruled the cathedral chapter, insisting on Richard le Scrope.[10]

He was employed on diplomatic missions to Italy in 1381-3,[11] to Calais to negotiate with the French in 1388,[12] and to the Scots. He died on March 24, 1406.[9]

He is described as

“ ... a munificent prelate. He built bridges at Shincliffe, Bishop Auckland, and Yarm; a refuge tower, a beautiful chapter-house (now in ruins) at Howden; and was a large contributor to the expense of building the central tower of York Cathedral.[13] ”

This was in addition to much added to Durham Cathedral, including its cloisters.[14] He is portrayed in the east stained-glass window in York Minster,[15] which he had made.[16]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Secrets of Hylton Castle accessed on August 23, 2007
  2. ^ A History of the County of East Riding: Swine Parish accessed on August 23, 2007
  3. ^ The Fading Years of the Prince Bishops accessed on August 23, 2007
  4. ^ Archdeacons of Northampton accessed on August 23, 2007
  5. ^ Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 95
  6. ^ Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 253
  7. ^ Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield accessed on August 23, 2007
  8. ^ Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 228
  9. ^ a b Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 242
  10. ^ Welcome to York Minster accessed on August 23, 2007
  11. ^ Concise Dictionary of National Biography
  12. ^ May McKisack, The Fourteenth Century, p. 463.
  13. ^ J. E. Bygate, Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Durham, Gutenberg text.
  14. ^ Durham Cathedral Historical Survey accessed on August 23, 2007
  15. ^ Vidimus no. 6 (April 2007): Panel of the Month accessed on August 23, 2007
  16. ^ York Minster: The Great East Window accessed on September 7, 2007

[edit] References

Political offices
Preceded by
William Dighton		 Lord Privy Seal
1382–1386		 Succeeded by
John Waltham
Roman Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Robert de Stretton		 Bishop of Coventry
1385–1386		 Succeeded by
Richard le Scrope
Preceded by
John Harewell		 Bishop of Bath and Wells
1386–1388		 Succeeded by
Ralph Erghum
Preceded by
John Fordham		 Bishop of Durham
1388–1406		 Succeeded by
Thomas Langley
Persondata
NAME Skirlaw, Walter
ALTERNATIVE NAMES de Skirlaw, Walter; Skirclaw, Walter; Skirlaugh, Walter; Shirlagh, Walter; Skarlawe, Walter
SHORT DESCRIPTION Bishop of Coventry; Bishop of Bath and Wells; Bishop of Durham
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH Swine, East Riding of Yorkshire
DATE OF DEATH March 24, 1406
PLACE OF DEATH