There is no record of the
church before Bishop Clinton and little until Bishop Nonant. Bishop Muschamp is
said to have been the first bishop to be buried at Lichfield, but this is uncertain.
The current view is that reconstruction of the cathedral does not start until
the episcopacy of Bishop Muschamp. The cathedral is secondary to Coventry throughout
this period and is often in conflict with the monastery, especially regarding
the nomination of a new bishop. During the 13th century at least thirteen
chantries were founded in the cathedral, most located close to the high altar. For
around 80 years, on-and-off, the Treasurer of England in the 14th century was
held by someone associated with the cathedral; this must have assured income.
Many of the canons in this time were royal clerks and attended to the king’s
affairs. It was a ‘king’s cathedral’. There were also many canons who were
linked with the papal court. By the beginning of the 16th-century the finances
were in a poor shape and the number of clergy was much reduced.
Peter, Bishop of Licifeldensis,
1070 (some think 1067) –1085, agreed to move the see to Chester, 1072 or 3,
following orders in a Norman Church Council. He was now Bishop of Centrenis. He
could have been a royal chaplain to William the Conqueror an almost certainly was
from a Norman family. Absentee
Robert de Limesey, 1086–1117, moved the see
at Chester to Coventry, c. 1095, but officially 1102. He had been a
chaplain to William the Conqueror and became an envoy to the pope on behalf of
Henry I. The de Limesi family were Normans from Rouen, north Normandy, and were
related distantly to William. Absentee
Robert Peche (Pecham), 1121–1126/7, was
a chaplain to Henry I. In 1120, Henry’s son and heir, William, drowned when the
‘White Ship’ was wrecked off Barfleur attempting to cross the Channel. This
loss altered Henry profoundly and perhaps Robert Peche helped the King to
grieve. He could have been present at the King’s second wedding, Windsor, 24
January 1121. Absentee
Roger de Clinton, 1129–1148. Roger’s uncle,
Geoffrey de Clinton came from an obscure minor estate in Cotentin, west
Normandy and probably knew Henry I as a young man. By 1120 he was Henry’s
chamberlain and treasurer. He was given the sheriffdom of Warwickshire and
permission to build Kenilworth Castle, a counterweight to Warwick Castle owned
by the Beaumont family and suspected by Henry of being disloyal. Geoffrey possibly
offered Henry 3000 marks if he would make Roger the bishop. Roger was part of
the deputation to the pope, 1139, required to defend King Stephen against the
charge of breaking his oath to Henry I of making his daughter Matilda heir to
the throne. This suggests Clinton supported Stephen in the Wars of Anarchy,
1138–1153; many bishops changed sides, some several times. There is a suggestion
Clinton increased the number of prebends, but this could be a confusion of what
occurred at Coventry. He did reconstitute the chapter along the lines of other
cathedrals. A dean is apparent around 1140. Clinton died at Antioch on a
crusade. More of a soldier than a priest. Indifferent, especially to
Lichfield?
Walter Durdent, 1149–1159, was a
Benedictine monk and theologian appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. He
was essentially a Bishop of Coventry, and was buried there. Absentee
Richard Peche, 1161–1182, was another
Coventry bishop appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is said to have
only used the title Bishop of Coventry. He assisted in the coronation of Henry
II in 1170 and for a time was suspended from his see for this act. Around 1170
a precentor is mentioned. In 1176, the deanery was improved. When he died and was
buried at Stafford, he assumed to be an Augustinian monk. Minor involvement.
Gerard la Pucelle, 1183–4, took the oath of
fealty to Henry II in 1168. Gerard was in Thomas Becket’s entourage and
a close friend of John of Salisbury, an Anglo-Saxon scholar. Some suspected he died of poison. Absentee
Hugh de Nonant, 1188–1198, was related to
two bishops of Lisieux, west Normandy. His name suggests he came from a
distinguished Norman family. He served both Archbishop Thomas Becket and King
Henry II. He went into exile with Becket, but then left him. He then served
Richard I who made him sheriff of three counties and this made him wealthy. When
Richard was captured and ransomed, Nonant ignored his plea and instead supported
John in his quest to seize kingship. One historian believes he was John's chief
propagandist. When Richard returned, he had to rebuy his position; his
sheriffdoms were unavailable. He greatly upset the monks at both Canterbury and
Coventry cathedral and is reported to have said he wanted to get rid of all
monks. The first statutes of the cathedral were written in 1191, probably by
the dean and chapter. They had a resemblance to the statutes of Rouen
Cathedral. In 1195, there were 22 canons and their duties were now fixed. Nonant
gave up his bishopric and returned to France where he assumed the habit of a
monk! Minor interest in Lichfield. Episcopate limited to the years 1189-93.
Geoffrey de Muschamp,
1198–1208, probably came from a baronial family in Wallovere, Northumberland.
He was elected bishop by the monks of Coventry and probably supported by the
Archbishop of York and Richard I. He was present at John’s coronation in 1199.
He was one of the bishops who fled from England in 1207 when John was given a
papal edict to accept John Langton as the Archbishop of Canterbury and to
readmit the monks of the cathedral. On 23 March 1208, the edict was followed
and all church services stopped. Muschamp died October 1208 and might be buried
at Lichfield, not Coventry. First
to take a direct interest in Lichfield
William de Cornhill,
1215–1223, was possibly the brother or nephew to Reginald de Cornhill one of King
John's chief administrators. Their family appear to have had estates in London
and Kent. He was elected bishop by the monks of Coventry, against John’s
preference, and was one of the enforcers for John when he accepted the Magna
Carta in 1215. Cornhill was present at the first coronation of Henry III in
1216. A stroke in 1221 caused loss of speech and perhaps eventually resignation.
In 1222, William de Mancetter (Manecestra) was appointed dean and he probably
continued Cornhill’s initiatives. Cornhill was the first recorded bishop to be
buried in the cathedral. Could have been the bishop to inspire a totally new
cathedral.
Alexander de Stavenby,
1224–1238, was probably from Stainsby, Lincolnshire. He knew Stephen Langton,
Archbishop of Canterbury, and worked for a pope. He wrote statutes for how
priests should behave including every Christian should say the Lord’s Prayer 7 times each day.
He also wrote a tract on the nature of pride, envy, anger, sloth (idleness in
the service of God), avarice, luxury and gluttony. He listed both Coventry and Lichfield as seats of his
diocese. He served Henry III as a diplomat and represented the king on
many missions to Rome and France. Transepts and much of the nave were built
during his episcopacy and he must have agreed for the king to influence its
architecture. He was buried in the cathedral. Good
Hugh de Pateshull, or Hugh Pattishall,1239–1241, came from Pattishall,
Northamptonshire, and a family of judges. He was a royal clerk, clerk to the exchequer and ultimately
Lord High Treasurer, 1234–1240. He loyally served Henry III and it was the king
who chose him as bishop after three failed attempts to fill the post. Short-lived
compromise, but ensured the king’s interest in the construction of the
cathedral.
Roger Weseham, 1245–1256, was probably a
native of Weasenham, Norfolk and a lecturer and theologian at Oxford
University, who wrote much on sermons.
He was appointed by the pope after much disagreement on who should be
elected bishop. He, with previous bishops, added prebends and by 1255, there were
28. Thomas Wymondham became the precentor in the 1241 interregnum and by 1265
was Treasurer of England. This must have helped the funds. Weseham was forced
to resign by due to paralysis. A concerned priest
Roger de Meuland, (de Longespee) 1258–1295. Nothing is
known of his paternity and early life, but he might have been brought up in
France and was distantly related to Henry III. He was Bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield for 37 years, in a time when there was much construction of the
current cathedral. His elevation to
bishop was probably managed by Richard the king’s brother. He upset Henry by trying
to control royal free chapels in the diocese and later by cooperating with
Simon de Montfort when he took control in 1264. He gave his loyalty back to
Henry when he regained power in 1265 and then to Edward I in 1272. He was given
the sheriffdom of two counties making him wealthy. During his episcopacy a
choir of six paid choristers was mentioned in 1265. In 1281–2, he was censured twice for not confirming people. Meuland’s stone coffin was
probably the one found in the 1992 excavation of the south choir aisle. See the
post ‘Bishop Meuland – an enigma’ for a longer biography. Managed in turbulent times. He much improved the
statutes of the cathedral.
Walter de Langton, 1296–1321, was born in
West Langton or Church Langton, Leicestershire. He said he was the son of Simon
Peverel, a family having wealth and power in Tudor times. An uncle was Dean of
York in 1262. He became a clerk of the wardrobe, 1281–2 in Edward I’s royal
chancery. In 1295, the king made him treasurer and he retained this position
until1307. A year later he was made Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. He became
considerably rich and remained loyal to Edward; the Queen described him as 'the
king's right eye’. On Edward’s death in 1307, Edward II and resentful barons
invented charges against him and placed him in prison. He was released in1309,
pardoned in 1312 and again became the treasurer. It is clear Langton schemed
financial dealings, was ruthless when embroiled in considerable litigation and
very good at conniving to make personal gain. This was only possible with royal
support and in return Langton was totally loyal to the crown. He was buried
near the altar. For a longer biography see the post ‘Bishop Walter Langton –
benefactor’. Very powerful and rich. A great benefactor. Raised the
cathedral and the Close. The Great Register began at the end of his episcopacy.
Roger de Northburgh,
1322–1358, origins are oddly unknown, but probably came from landed French
nobility. He was employed in the royal wardrobe of Edward I and then Edward II.
In 1311–12, he accompanied the king’s army to Scotland and then across northern
England. He was trusted to keep the Privy Seal and for the first time this was
made independent of the king and barons. In 1314, he joined the king at the
battle of Bannockburn and was captured. On being freed he became the Keeper of
the Wardrobe. The king gave him many titles and emoluments in the church
eventually making him rich. A twelve long argument between the monks of
Coventry and canons of the cathedral led the pope to invest Northburgh as the
bishop. Then began numerous disputes between the bishop and his chapter and
many churches in the diocese. He removed absentee clergy. He remained
politically active and loyal after Edward III came to the throne in 1330. Consequences
of the Black Death in 1348, including loss of clergy, and many years of famine
had to be managed. Meanwhile he became the Lord Treasurer. He went through a
major dispute with certain barons and came close to imprison in the tower. He
died in office and was possibly buried in the cathedral, though where is
unknown. Northburgh presided during 36 turbulent years, and remained close to
three Edward kings. Very powerful and rich. Reordered the diocese and
kept records of work on and in the cathedral. A bishop always in dispute with
the dean and chapter.
Robert de Stretton,
1360–1385, was born in one of the Stretton villages in Leicestershire. A
scholar who somehow served Edward, the Prince of Wales, probably in the early
1340s. Royal service brought him many ecclesiastical preferments. How Stretton
became Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield remains controversial. He was elected
to the see, with the support of the Black Prince in1358, but it did not have
the pope’s agreement. Royal assent was given in1359, but consecration was
delayed almost 22 months, until 1360. One possible problem was Stretton had an
eye defect and could not easily read, but this did not stop him becoming a very
able administrator of the diocese. He lived near the cathedral and served it
reliably, particularly removing absentee clergy and stopping clergy bringing women
to their rooms. It was Stretton who moved Langton’s shrine for Chad to the
location in front of Langton’s Lady Chapel. Close to his death he became
completely blind. He requested to be buried close to the grave site of Chad and
in the Chapel of St Andrew (east end of the north choir aisle). Served the
cathedral in many ways.
Richard le Scrope, 1387–1398, was the third
son of a baronet at Masham, North Yorkshire. He studied at both Oxford and
Cambridge Universities and in 1378 became the Chancellor of Cambridge
University. From 1382 he was a papal chaplain and was elected Bishop of
Chichester in 1385, but this was blocked by Richard II. A year later he became
the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, probably on the recommendation of
Richard. The dean for the first time was made to have permanent residency. In
1397, he was sent to Rome on behalf of the king and was there appointed
Archbishop of York. In 1399, together with two other bishops, accepted Richard
II’s abdication and later escorted Henry Bolingbroke to the throne. Scrope was
connected to the Earl of Northumberland by marriage and when they rebelled
against the king was caught up in the fighting. Why he entered in military
action has remained a mystery. He was captured, sentenced without trial and in
1405 beheaded outside the walls of York. This made him a saint and martyr. For more information see the post, ‘King Richard II of Bordeaux and Lichfield’. Short lived and did little for Lichfield. A
schemer.
John Burghill or Burghull, 1398–1414, origins are
unknown until he became a Dominican monk in a convent at Hereford. Perhaps, he
came from the village of Burghill, northwest of Hereford. He became a noted Friar preacher. John was made the confessor
and chaplain to Richard II, who forwarded him to be bishop at Lichfield. At his installation in Lichfield Cathedral were King Richard, 3
Archbishops, 5 bishops, 4 Dukes, 4 Earls and many others. Richard
died c, 1400 and his
interment at the Dominican friary church at Kings Langley in Hertfordshire was
conducted by Burghill. Afterwards, Burghill became a great benefactor leaving
much to the cathedral, and this was warmly commemorated after his death in
1414. Burghill was the first medieval bishop who appeared to not seek position,
but instead led a simple, ascetic life. For more information see the post, ‘King Richard II of Bordeaux and Lichfield’. Holy, helpful and much liked.
John Catterick, 1415–1419, was
Bishop of St Davids in 1414 and one year later Bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield. He did not attend the cathedral and in 1419 was translated to Exeter
and died one month later. Absentee
William Heyworth, 1420–1447, also
Heiworth or Hecheworth. It has been conjectured Heyworth came from a family at
Wheathampstead, north of St Albans, Hertfordshire, and became Abbot of St
Albans before becoming the bishop. There were others with his family name
serving in the cathedral during this time. In his time the Sarum Missal was partially introduced to services. In 1424, he founded ‘Milley’s
Hospital’. Minor bishop, but little known (there is a
gap in records for 50 years).
William Booth, 1447–1452, was
the son of a baronet in Lancashire and became Rector to a Lancashire church. In
1452, after only three years as bishop, was made Archbishop of York. In 1455,
he supported the Lancastrians at the start of the Wars of the Roses led by
Henry VI’s wife, Margaret of Anjou. Some historians think he became the Queen’s
chancellor. In 1461, at the Battle of Towton, the Yorkists defeated the
Lancastrians. Booth changed sides and with the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned
Edward IV. The defeated Lancastrians fled to Scotland. Booth was one of the
leaders of an army which in 1463 repelled an attempted invasion by the Scots
initiated by the deposed Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. He died the following
year and was buried at Southwell Minster. Short-lived. Lived in very
turbulent times. Powerful.
Reginald Boulers, 1453–1459, was made
abbot in Gloucester in 1437 and Bishop of Hereford in 1450. He was a close
friend of Henry VI and supported the Lancastrians. In 1450, he was seized by
the Yorkists and imprisoned in Ludlow Castle. This kept him away from the rebelling
Lollards. He was one of many bishops joining Archbishop Booth and supporting
the queen in 1455 and in a ruling council in 1457. He died in office before the
Lancastrians were defeated. Absentee
John Hales, 1459–1490, came from Sherford, Devon, near
Kingsbridge. Between 1457–1450 he was Dean of Exeter Cathedral where previous
family had held high office. He became bishop, at the age of 59/60, in Henry
VI’s final years of his first reign and was also made the Keeper of the Privy
Seal. This title was removed by Edward IV. He died about 90 years old and was
buried in the cathedral. Enjoyed the company of scholars. Not much is
recorded about how he improved the cathedral.
William Smyth, 1493–1496, came
from a wealthy family at Farnworth, Widnes, Lancashire. It is said he was
brought up in the Hall owned by the Earl of Derby. In 1476, he gained a degree
in canon law at Oxford University. With the accession of Henry VII after the
Battle of Bosworth he was given many preferments and in 1493 the bishopric. He
was the custodian of the daughters of Edward IV and made Chancellor of Oxford
University. He became wealthy and was philanthropic, including providing
a hospital for
the poor, aged men and a grammar school in Lichfield, originally known as Priory
of St John. He rarely attended the
cathedral, being busy with ecclesiastical, legal and political duties. After three years he was translated to Lincoln Cathedral. Minor and indifferent
John Arundel, 1496–1502, a nobleman from Cornwall. Between 1482–1496, he was Dean of Exeter Cathedral before
becoming Bishop. In 1502 he was translated to Exeter. Completely indifferent
Geoffrey Blythe, 1503–1531, came
from Norton, Sheffield. His mother was a sister to the Archbishop of York. He
attended Eton and Cambridge. Henry VII sent him on various embassies abroad and
then made him bishop. From 1512 to 1524 he was appointed president of the Council
of Wales and the Marches. He was acquitted of a treason charge in 1509. His
elder brother was Bishop of Salisbury. He led a concerted
effort to eradicate a community of Lollards in Coventry, 1511-2, which resulted in 13
martyrdoms by burning. He paid for tapestries and silverware and bequeathed legacies to the cathedral. He gave 50 oaks and
£20 for repairs. He was buried near the shrine of Chad. Powerful and good to the
cathedral, but infamous in Coventry.
Rowland Lee or Leigh, 1534–1543, came
from Isel, Cumberland and was educated at Cambridge. He obtained various
livings under the patronage of Cardinal Wolsey and then with Henry VIII and
Thomas Cromwell, apparently accepting the suppressing of monasteries. He was
involved with the divorce proceedings against Catherine of Aragon and reputedly officiated
at Henry's secret marriage to Anne Boleyn, 1533. Soon after he was made
Bishop, and on consecration, took the new oath to the King as head of
the Church of England and not to the Pope. During his episcopate occurred
the loss of Chad’s shrine and other valuables owned by the cathedral. The loss,1541, of the archdeaconry of Chester to the newly formed diocese of Chester was
also during his watch. He was made Lord President of
the Council of Wales and the Marches and under the direction of Thomas Cromwell
harshly instituted law and order in Wales. It is thought he hanged without fair
trial many for lawlessness and is said to have been dismayed when Wales came
into Union with England in 1536. There are some who think Wales at this time
needed severe penalties for disorder. He was buried at Shrewsbury. Powerful and much disliked. He did the bidding of Thomas Cromwell and the king. Possibly
amoral.
From Reformation, 1534, the bishop’s title changed when Coventry
Cathedral was dissolved. From 1535, there were 32 prebends bringing in a total
tithe of £400. There were 17 chantry chaplains serving at 13 altars. There were
12 boy choristers, now living in their own house on the north side of the Close.
References
C. Spencer, The White Ship, (London: 2020).
Dictionary of National Biography.
M. Morris, King John, (London: 2015).
H. Bicheno, The Wars of the Roses, (London:
2019)
H. E. Savage, 'The earliest statutes of the Cathedral', Unpub. article in Cathedral Library (1920).