Stephen de Fulbourn facts for kids
Stephen de Fulbourn (died 3 July 1288) was an important English church leader and government official in Ireland during the 1200s. He held two very important jobs: he was the Justiciar of Ireland (like a chief governor) and the Archbishop of Tuam (a high-ranking church leader). Stephen was also a member of the Knights Hospitallers, a special group of knights who helped people.
Contents
Who Was Stephen de Fulbourn?
Stephen de Fulbourn was born in a village called Fulbourn in Cambridgeshire, England. He was known for being very good with money, even though he didn't go to University.
In 1286, the Pope chose Stephen to become the Archbishop of Tuam, a major church area in Ireland. Before this, he was the Bishop of Waterford and a leader at Clerkenwell Priory, which was a place for the Knights Hospitallers. His brother, Walter de Fulburn, also held important roles in Ireland, serving as the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Stephen himself was the Treasurer of Ireland from 1274 to 1277 and the Justiciar of Ireland from 1281 until he passed away.
Stephen's Time as Justiciar
When Stephen was the Justiciar of Ireland, there were some disagreements and concerns about how he managed things. People wondered if he and his brother Walter were doing their jobs well. For example, there were questions about changes to the coins and about valuables from Dublin Castle.
Even with these questions, Stephen remained Justiciar until he died. He was very skilled with money, which is why he was made Treasurer. Some people believed the complaints against him came from others who were jealous of his wealth and power. One report to the King even said that the Fulbourn brothers "were everything, and without them there is nothing," showing how much influence they had.
The "Steeping" Coin
Stephen de Fulbourn's name is linked to a special type of coin called the "steeping." This was a changed version of the English penny, which was usually made of pure silver. The steeping coin was not as valuable. King Edward I later made this type of coin illegal.
Stephen's Wealth
Stephen was a very rich man. After he died, a list was made of all his belongings. This list showed he had many valuable items, including things made of gold and silver, fancy furs, fifteen horses, silk shoes, and expensive foods like figs and almonds.
Stephen de Fulbourn took control of the church lands and properties of the Archdiocese of Tuam in September 1286. He passed away in Dublin on July 3, 1288, and was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
