ROCHESTER: Bishops

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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'ROCHESTER: Bishops', in Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces), ed. Diana E Greenway( London, 1971), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp75-78 [accessed 27 July 2024].

'ROCHESTER: Bishops', 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 July 27, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp75-78.

"ROCHESTER: Bishops". Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 2, Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces). Ed. Diana E Greenway(London, 1971), , British History Online. Web. 27 July 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol2/pp75-78.

BISHOPS OF ROCHESTER

The archbishops had the patronage of the bishopric of Rochester until 1238, when pope Gregory IX granted the right of free election to the prior and convent. (fn. 1)

Siward

Abbot of Chertsey (Ben., Surrey). Cons. 1058 (A.S.C. 'D', 'E' p. 134; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 1 478). D. 1075 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 8). Commem. 30 Oct. (Canterbury obit. III fo. 235v). So presum. d. c. 30 Oct. 1075.

Arnost

Monk of Le Bec-Hellouin (Ben., Eure, France). Succeeded and cons. 1075, after Aug. ('Acta Lanfranci' in Two of the Saxon Chrons. Parallel, ed. J. Earle, revised C. Plummer (Oxford, 1892) 1 289, 11 315; cf. Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 8). Prof. obed., n.d. (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 213v). D. 1076, before Aug. ('Acta Lanfranci' in Two Saxon Chrons. 1 289, 11 315; cf. Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 8, which says he held office for one and a half years). Commem. 15 July (Canterbury obits. II fo. 34r, III fo. 201r).

Gundulph

Monk of Le Bec-Hellouin (Ben., Eure, France), and then of St. capÉtienne, Caen (Ben., Calvados), and from 1070 administrative assistant to abp. Lanfranc (see R. A. L. Smith in E.H.R. lviii (1943) 260). Appd. by abp. Lanfranc and given royal assent ('Vita Gundulfi' in Patrologia Latina, ed. J. Migne, clix col. 820; Will. Malmesbury, G.P. p. 136). Cons. 19 March 1077 ('Vita Gundulfi' col. 820; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 8 and (Vesp.) fo. 27v). (fn. 2) Enthr. soon after ('Vita Gundulfi' col. 820). D. after Vespers 7 March 1108 (ibid. col. 834; cf. Eadmer, H.N. p. 192). Commem. 8 March (Canterbury obits. I fo. 7r, II fo. 19r, III fo. 171r), 9 March (Belvoir obit.: Camb., Trinity Coll. MS. O.9.25 fo. 137r).

Ralph d'Escures (fn. 3)

Abbot of Séez (Ben., Orne, France). Nom. by bp. Gundulph before his d. ('Vita Gundulfi' in Patrologia Latina, ed. J. Migne, clix col. 833; Orderici Vitalis Historiae Ecclesiasticae, ed. A. Le Prévost (Paris, 1838-55) 111 309). Appd. by abp. 29 June 1108 (Eadmer, H.N. p. 196). Invested by archdcn. of Canterbury 30 June (ibid. pp. 196-7). Cons. 9 Aug. 1108 (ibid. p. 198). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 167). Abp. of Canterbury, postulated Apr. 1114, enthr. May (see above p. 3).

Ernulph

Prior of Canterbury (1096-1107) (see above p. 8), and abbot of Peterborough (Ben., Northants) (1107-14) (Eadmer, H.N. p. 225). Invested by abp. 28 Sept. 1114 and instal. 10 Oct. (ibid.). Cons. 26 Dec. 1115 (ibid. pp. 236-7). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 167). D. March 1124 (John Worc. p. 18). (fn. 4) Commem. 15 March (Canterbury obits. I fo. 7v, II fo. 20v, III fo. 173r).

John I

Archdcn. of Canterbury (see above p. 13). El. before 12 Apr. 1125 (John Worc. p. 19). Cons. 24 May 1125 (ibid.; Gerv. Cant. 11 381). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 168). D. 20 June 1137 (Gerv. Cant. 1 100; ann. Canterbury in U.G.Q. p. 80). (fn. 5) Commem. 22 June (Canterbury obits. II fo. 31v, III fo. 195v).

John II [of Séez] (fn. 6)

Presum. appd. by pope during vacancy in abpric., before Jan. 1139 (see A. Saltman in E.H.R. lxvi (1951) 72), and to be identified with unnamed bp. of Rochester who occ. Apr. 1139 (Richard of Hexham in Chrons. of Stephen, Hen. II and Ric. I, ed. R. Howlett (Rolls ser., lxxxii) 111 176; John of Hexham in Sym. Dun. 11 300). D. 1142 (Ann. Roff. (Vesp.) fo. 28v).

Ascelin (fn. 7)

Prior of Dover (Ben., Kent). Cons. 1142 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 64). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 168). D. 24 Jan. 1148, in his 6th year (Gerv. Cant. 1 132). (fn. 8) Commem. 23 Jan. (Canterbury obits. I fo. 4r, III fo. 160v).

Walter

Archdcn. of Canterbury (see above p. 13). El. 27 Jan., prof. obed. and cons. 14 March 1148 (Woodruff, Professions p. 169; cf. Gerv. Cant. 1 132-3). D. 26 July 1182 (Ann. Roff. (Vesp.) fo. 31r; cf. Gerv. Cant. 1 302). Commem. 26 July (Canterbury obit. III fo. 205r).

Waleran

Archdcn. of Bayeux, and clk. of Richard of Dover, abp. of Canterbury. El. 9 or 10 Oct. 1182 (Diceto 11 13 and n. 3; cf. Gerv. Cant. 1 302, where he is said to have been appd. by abp.). Ordained pr. 18 Dec. (Diceto 11 14). Cons. 19 Dec. 1182 (ibid.; cf. Gerv. Cant. 1 306). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 171). D. 29 Aug. 1184 (Gerv. Cant. 1 312). Commem. 29 Aug. (Canterbury obits. II fo. 39v, III fo. 214r).

Gilbert de Glanville

Archdcn. of Lisieux, and clk. of Baldwin, abp. of Canterbury (Gerv. Cant. 1 327). El. 16 July 1185 (Diceto 11 38). Ordained pr. 21 Sept. (ibid.). Cons. 29 Sept. 1185 (ibid.). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 171). D. 24 June 1214 (Wendover 111 281; ann. St. Albans in U.G.Q. p. 171). Commem. 24 June (Canterbury obits. II fo. 31v, III fo. 196r).

M. Benedict of Sawston (fn. 9)

Precentor of London. Papal mandate ordering an el., dated 13 Sept. 1214 (Selected Letters of Innocent III, ed. C. R. Cheney and W. H. Semple (1953) no. 71); papal legate's mandate, dated 27 Nov. (ibid. p. 191 n. 1). El. 13 Dec. 1214 (Ang. Sac. 1 385-6). Cons. either 25 Jan. (ibid. p. 386) or 22 Feb. 1215 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 156 and (Vesp.) fo. 32r; cf. cautio in Acta S. Langton no. 12). Prof. obed. 22 Feb. (Canterbury, Cart. Ant. C.115/81). D. 18 Dec. 1226 (ann. Dover fo. 26r), buried 21 Dec. (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 189).

M. Henry de Sandford

Archdcn. of Canterbury (see above p. 14). Abp.'s lic. el. sought and gr., el. 26 Dec. 1226 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 189). Abp.'s conf. 7 Feb. 1227 (Acta S. Langton no. 100). Cautio for his cons. outside Canterbury, May 1227 (ibid. no. 104). Cons. 9 May 1227 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 190; Gerv. Cant. (cont.) 11 115). (fn. 10) Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 173). Enthr. 16 May 1227 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 190; ann. Dover fo. 27r). D. prob. 25 Feb. 1235 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 215 n. 2).

Richard de Wendene (fn. 11)

Bp.'s official and rector of Bromley (Kent) (Reg. Roff. pp. 59, 185-3). El. 26 March 1235 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 215 and (Vesp.) fo. 33v). Abp.'s conf. withheld and appeal to pope by 18 Aug. 1235 (Reg. Greg. IX no. 2731; cf. ibid. no. 3261 of 29 July 1236). Papal conf. 20 March 1238 and papal mandate for rest. of temps. (ibid. nos. 4194-5, 4197; Chron. Maj. 111 480). Cons. 21 Nov. 1238 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 230; Ann. Waverley p. 319). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 173). Instal. 30 Nov. 1238 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 230). D. 12 Oct. 1250 (ibid. p. 369; cf. Chron. Maj. v 185).

M. Laurence de Sancto Martino

King's clk.; preb. of Chichester and Salisbury; archdcn. of Coventry. El. 19 Oct. 1250 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 369). (fn. 12) Abp.'s conf. 9 Feb. 1251 (ibid.). Papal conf. before 20 Feb. (Reg. Innoc. IV no. 5139, cf. no. 5069). Cons. 9 Apr. (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 376 and (Vesp.) fo. 33v). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 174). Enthr. after 24 Oct. 1251 (Close R. 1247-51 p. 519). D. 3 June 1274 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 44). (fn. 13)

Walter of Merton (fn. 14)

Royal chanc.; preb. of London. El. c. 20 July 1274 (Chrons. Edw. I and II 184). Cons. 21 Oct. 1274 (Ann. Wint. p. 117). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 176). D. 27 Oct. 1277 (Ann. Oseney p. 275).

John de Bradfield

Monk and precentor of Rochester. El. 1278 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 50). Temps. after 19 Jan. (Cal. Fine Rolls 1 (1911) 90). Cons. 29 May 1278 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 50). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 176). D. 23 Apr. 1283 (Ann. Oseney and Chron. Wykes p. 295; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 59).

[John de Kirkeby

Abp.'s lic. el. gr. 29 Apr. 1283 (Reg. J. Pecham 11 195-6). Kirkeby, then archdcn. of Coventry (Lichfield dioc.), el. before 16 June (ibid. 1 197-8; cf. Reg. G. Giffard 11 202). Res. his el. 16 June (Reg. J. Pecham 1 197-8; ann. Dover fo. 57v). Bp. of Ely, el. July 1286, cons. Sept. (above p. 47).]

M. Thomas of Ingoldisthorpe (fn. 15)

Dean of London. El. before 9 July 1283, when abp.'s conf. given (Reg. J. Pecham 11 204). Cons. either 26 Sept. 1283 (Gerv. Cant. (cont.) 11 292; Reg. Epistolarum J. Peckham, ed. C. T. Martin (Rolls ser. lxxvii) 11 592-3) (fn. 16) or 3 Oct. 1283 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 59). Prof. obed., n.d. (Woodruff, Professions p. 176). D. 11 May 1291 (Ann. Oseney p. 328), 12 May 1291 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 72; Chron. Bury p. 98).

Thomas de Wouldham alias de Southflete (fn. 17)

Prior of Rochester (see below p. 80). El. by monks but renounced el.; lic. el. sought and gr., and el. again by monks 6 June 1291 (Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 74; Gerv. Cant. (cont.) 11 297). Temps. before 11 Dec. 1291 (C.C.R. 1288-96 p. 210). Lic. for his cons. outside Canterbury 4 Jan. 1292 (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 69r; cf. Cart. Ant. C.110/6). Cons. 6 Jan. (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 67v; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 111 74). Prof. obed., n.d. (Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 214v). D. 28 Feb. 1317 (Ann. Roff. in Ang. Sac. 1 357).

Footnotes

  • 1. Reg. Roff. pp. 95-8; cf. R. A. L. Smith in E.H.R. lviii (1943) 263-4.
  • 2. All these sources give 12 kal. Apr. = 21 March, Tuesday, but 14 kal. Apr. = 19 March, Sunday, is presumably intended.
  • 3. See above p. 3 n. 5.
  • 4. Hen. Hunt. p. 245 also gives 1124; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 50 and (Vesp.) fo. 29r give 1123/4.
  • 5. Ann. Roff. (Vesp.) fo. 29v and ann. Chichester in U.G.Q. p. 95 give 1137; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 60 gives 1138.
  • 6. Orne, France. See A. Saltman in E.H.R. lxvi (1951) 75.
  • 7. Called Anselm and said to have succeeded as bp. 1142 in ann. Dover fo. 23v; but Saltman, Theobald p. 542 gives 1143 from same source.
  • 8. Ang. Sac. 1 86, Ann. Roff. (Vesp.) fo. 29v and Rob. Torigny 1 246 give 1148; Ann. Roff. in Flor. Hist. 11 66 gives 1146.
  • 9. Sawston, Cambs.; see Fasti 1066-1300 1 (1968) 23 n. 6.
  • 10. Ann. Worc. p. 419 gives 25 Apr.
  • 11. ?Wenden Lofts, Essex.
  • 12. He occ., not called bp.-el., having royal protection to go overseas, 30 Oct. 1250 (C.P.R. 1247-58 p. 79).
  • 13. Chrons. Edw. I and II 1 83 gives c. 11 June; ann. Dover fo. 54r gives c. 24 June; Chron. Wykes p. 259 gives c. 25 July.
  • 14. Surrey; see Fasti 1066-1300 1 (1968) 37 n. 5.
  • 15. Norf.; see above p. 70 n. 6.
  • 16. Chron. Bury p. 78 gives 27 Sept. (Monday).
  • 17. Canterbury, Reg. A fo. 167v. ?Wouldham or Southfleet, Kent.