Walter Mauclerk facts for kids

Walter Mauclerk (who also spelled his name Walter Mauclerc) was an important person in medieval England. He was a Bishop of Carlisle, which is a high position in the church. He also served as the Lord High Treasurer of England, managing the country's money. He died around 1248.

Walter Mauclerk's Early Life

We don't know much about where Walter Mauclerk came from. We do know he had a brother who was a "prior" (a leader) at Reading Abbey. Another relative, possibly his nephew, also became a prior at Carlisle Cathedral.

Walter first worked as a financial clerk in Normandy in 1202. He also held a church position in a town called Falaise that same year.

Moving to England

When England lost control of Normandy, Walter returned to England. He began working for the king's court. In 1203, he received a "prebend" in Exeter, which meant he got income from a church there.

From 1204 to 1205, he helped manage the county of Lincolnshire. His job included collecting taxes for the king.

Serving the King of England

Walter Mauclerk was a trusted helper for two English kings.

Working for King John

In 1214, Walter worked for King John of England. He was sent to Rome as an "envoy" (a diplomat) to meet with Pope Innocent III. His mission was to make sure that any messages from powerful English nobles against the king were not believed. At this time, he was still a royal clerk.

In 1215, he briefly went to Ireland for the king. He also served as a "royal justice," helping to make decisions in courts. He worked in the Midlands in 1218 and in Nottingham in 1219. In 1221, he was supposed to be a forest justice in York but was sent to Cumberland instead.

Becoming a Bishop

Walter Mauclerk was the Sheriff of Cumberland from 1222 to 1233. This meant he was in charge of law and order in that area. Before becoming a bishop, he was a "canon" (a type of priest) at Carlisle Cathedral.

He was chosen to be the Bishop of Carlisle around August 22, 1223. He officially became a bishop that winter.

Working for King Henry III

Walter continued to serve King Henry III of England. In 1225, he traveled to Cologne as part of a diplomatic team. They were trying to arrange a marriage between King Henry and a daughter of the Duke of Austria.

In 1227, he was in Poitou, France, handling the king's business there.

Treasurer of England

From 1228 to 1233, Walter Mauclerk held a very important job: the Treasurer of England. This meant he was in charge of all the country's money. Even though he was given this job for life, he was removed from office in 1233. This happened because of political changes in King Henry III's government.

However, when another powerful person, Peter des Roches, lost his influence, Walter returned to royal service. In 1235, he was again in charge of finding a bride for King Henry. This time, he went to Flanders to meet a daughter of the Count of Ponthieu.

Later Years and Legacy

Walter Mauclerk decided to step down as Bishop of Carlisle on June 26, 1246. He did this to become a "Dominican," which is a type of monk, at Oxford. He passed away around October 28, 1248, in Oxford.

During his time as bishop, he made sure the financial matters of his diocese were well-organized. He left most of his belongings to the diocese or to the Dominicans in Oxford.