Robert Burnell facts for kids

Robert Burnell (born around 1239, died October 25, 1292) was an important English leader. He was a bishop and also served as the Lord Chancellor of England for many years (1274 to 1292).

Burnell came from Shropshire. He started as a small official for the king. Later, he worked for Prince Edward, who would become King Edward I of England. When Edward went on a crusade in 1270, Burnell stayed in England. He made sure the prince's interests were protected.

After King Henry III of England died, Burnell acted as a regent (a temporary ruler) while Edward was still away. He was chosen twice to be Archbishop of Canterbury, but his personal life stopped him from being approved by the Pope. In 1275, Burnell became Bishop of Bath and Wells. This happened after King Edward had made him Lord Chancellor in 1274.

As Chancellor, Burnell worked hard to make sure the king's rights were followed. He helped create new laws and legal changes during Edward's rule. During his time, the Chancellor's office and its records stayed in London. Before, they used to travel with the king. Burnell also went on important trips to other countries for King Edward. He even governed Gascony for a while. He remained a trusted friend of the king until he died in 1292. Some historians believe he was one of the most important royal officials of the 1200s.

Early Life and Career

Burnell's family gave their name to Acton Burnell in Shropshire. Robert Burnell was likely born there around 1239. He was about the same age as King Edward. His father was probably Roger Burnell, who died around 1259. Robert had three brothers. Two of them died fighting the Welsh in 1282. His third brother, Hugh, died in 1286. Hugh's son Philip later became Robert's heir.

Burnell started his career as a clerk in the royal chancery. This office was in charge of writing important government documents. He then moved to work for Prince Edward. By 1257, Burnell spent most of his time with the prince. After a battle in 1264, Burnell continued to serve Edward. He was named the prince's clerk in December 1264.

As a reward for his service, Burnell received a church position in the diocese of York. He also became Archdeacon of York in December 1270. He served as Edward's chancellor from 1265 until 1270. This was when Edward left for the crusade.

Attempts to Become Archbishop

In 1270, Prince Edward tried to get Burnell elected as Archbishop of Canterbury. But the church leaders in Canterbury chose their own prior instead. Later, Pope Gregory X chose someone else for the role.

Burnell had planned to go on crusade with Prince Edward. But he was appointed as one of four leaders to look after Edward's interests in England. So, he was still in England when King Henry III died in November 1272. Burnell acted as one of the temporary rulers of the kingdom. He did this until August 1274, when Edward returned from Palestine.

During this time, Burnell oversaw a parliament. He also dealt with attacks on the Welsh Marches. He helped solve a trade problem with Flanders. When the king returned, Burnell was made Chancellor. This experience helped Burnell become a very powerful figure in the English government.

Chancellor and Bishop Roles

On January 23, 1275, Burnell was chosen to be the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He officially took over the church's properties on March 19, 1275. He was made a bishop on April 7, 1275.

Three years later, King Edward tried again to make Burnell the Archbishop of Canterbury. Burnell was elected in June or July 1278. But Pope Nicholas III cancelled the election in January 1279. The Pope was concerned about Burnell's personal life. Edward sent a group to try and convince the Pope. But the Pope chose someone else instead.

Edward made one last try to promote his friend in 1280. Burnell was nominated to become Bishop of Winchester. But Pope Nicholas III cancelled this election too, on June 28, 1280.

Key Advisor to the King

Burnell was King Edward I's most important advisor for the first half of his reign. He spent most of his time with the king. He listened to many requests from people seeking favors or promotions. He was very good at handling daily tasks.

Burnell played a big part in the laws King Edward introduced. The king's main laws were passed during Burnell's time as Chancellor. This was from September 21, 1274, until Burnell's death in 1292. Burnell helped make sure royal orders and laws were followed. This included the Statutes of Westminster from 1275 and 1285. He also helped with the Quia Emptores law from 1290. The 1275 laws tried to stop people from taking over royal rights. The 1290 law changed land rules, which was important for the powerful landowners.

Royal Rights and Administration

During Burnell's time, King Edward and his officials worked hard to get back royal rights. They felt these rights had been taken by the king's subjects. They used special orders called Quo warranto. These orders asked people to show what royal permission they had to use a certain right or power. These orders started in 1278.

The goal was to make sure that privileges or land grants were only given through written documents. This could have taken land and rights from many English nobles. Most land at that time was held by old customs, not by written papers. By the 1290s, the government had to change its approach. They allowed rights that had been in place "for a very long time."

During Burnell's time, the king's personal department, the Wardrobe, and the government department, the Chancery, became very close. The Wardrobe was a less formal way to handle money. But under Edward, it became like a treasury for wars.

Burnell was also responsible for making the Court of Chancery stay in London. Before, it used to travel with the king. A record from 1280 shows that the Chancellor and other ministers had to sort through many requests. They only passed the most urgent ones to the king.

Burnell as Bishop

As a bishop, Burnell had a wall built around the cathedral at Wells. This helped make the cathedral and its buildings safer. Each year, he would leave the court during Lent. He would return to his church area and take care of its business.

In 1282, the Archbishop asked Burnell to be his helper when he went to Wales. Burnell likely suggested a compromise in 1285. This agreement helped decide which cases belonged to royal courts and which belonged to church courts. It allowed royal officials to send religious cases back to the church courts.

Foreign Service and Diplomacy

Burnell was very active in the king's foreign policy. This included relations with France, Scotland, and Wales. He went on many diplomatic trips to these countries. Burnell often spoke for the king on these occasions. For example, in 1286, he gave a speech in Paris. He talked about the history of English-French relations since a treaty in 1259. This speech helped with talks about Edward's loyalty to the King of France for his land in France.

Burnell worked in Gascony in the late 1280s. He helped manage this area and reorganize its government. He understood that the people of Gascony wanted to be independent. He did not try to force the same government systems used in England on them. Historians say that Gascony had its best government under the Plantagenet kings during this time.

Later, in June 1291, Burnell gave two speeches at a big meeting in Norham. This meeting was to decide who would be the next king of Scotland. Edward had been asked to help solve the problem of who would rule Scotland.

Welsh Affairs

In Welsh matters, Burnell attended several meetings about Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales. In 1277, he escorted Llywelyn to Westminster. There, Llywelyn promised loyalty to Edward. Burnell was present during Edward's conquest of Wales in the 1280s. He witnessed important documents in places like Rhuddlan, Conwy, and Caernarfon.

Death and Legacy

Burnell died in Berwick-upon-Tweed on October 25, 1292. His body, without his heart, is buried in the main part of Wells Cathedral. His heart was buried at Bath Abbey.

Even though he was often busy with royal duties, Burnell managed to improve his bishopric. He also helped his relatives. He became very wealthy. He bought many estates in different parts of England. When he died, he owned 82 large properties in 19 counties. Most of these were his personal property, not belonging to the church.

Ruins of the house built by Burnell at Acton Burnell

Burnell kept a grand household. It was big enough for him to host a parliament at his home in Acton Burnell in 1283. He arranged marriages for several young female relatives to noblemen. His nephew, Philip, was his main heir.

Burnell built a lot at Acton Burnell Castle. Large parts of his house are still standing today. It was different from older houses. His private rooms were far from the main public areas. The house was not quite a castle, but it had some defensive features. He also built a chapel and a great hall at the Bishop's Palace in Wells.

Burnell was a very important person during the first part of Edward's reign. He managed most parts of the royal government. He handled both issues within England and foreign relations. He kept these responsibilities for two decades after Edward returned to England in 1274. Some historians believe he was the most important royal administrator of the 1200s.