Walter de Coutances facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Walter de Coutances
Archbishop of Rouen
The front of Rouen Cathedral. The left tower (except the last storey) and the side doors (except the tympans) date from the 12th century, and already existed in Coutances' lifetime.
Appointed	17 November 1184
Reign ended	16 November 1207
Predecessor	Rotrou
Successor	Robert III Poulain
Other posts	Bishop of Lincoln Archdeacon of Oxford
Orders
Ordination	11 June 1183
Consecration	3 July 1183 by Richard of Dover, Archbishop of Canterbury
Personal details
Born	Cornwall, England
Died	16 November 1207

Walter de Coutances (died 16 November 1207) was an important church leader and government official in medieval England and Normandy. He was born in Cornwall, England. Walter served King Henry II and later King Richard I.

He held several important church jobs, including Bishop of Lincoln and later Archbishop of Rouen. He also worked for the king as a vice-chancellor, which was a high-ranking government position.

Walter's Early Life and Education

Walter de Coutances was born in Cornwall, England. His parents were Reinfrid and Gonilla. His brother, Roger fitzReinfrid, also worked for the king as a judge.

Walter was known as magister, which means he had a good education. He likely studied at the schools of Paris. People said he loved learning and was a very skilled courtier, meaning he was good at working in the king's court.

Working for King Henry II

Walter started his career as a clerk for King Henry II. A clerk helped the king with official papers and records. He might have gotten this job because his brother already worked for the king.

By 1169, Walter was a canon at Rouen Cathedral. This was a church position. During the 1170s, many royal clerks, including Walter, became very important. Walter was a chaplain to Henry the Young King, who was King Henry's oldest son.

When the Young King rebelled against his father in 1173, Walter returned to serve King Henry II. He became Archdeacon of Oxford around 1173. He was also named vice-chancellor in 1173. This meant he helped the main chancellor with royal documents.

King Henry sent Walter on important diplomatic trips. These trips were to talk with leaders in Flanders and France. In 1180, he went on another diplomatic mission to France. In 1182, Walter was a witness when King Henry II wrote his will.

Becoming a Bishop and Archbishop

Walter was chosen to be the Bishop of Lincoln on May 8, 1183. King Henry chose him over other candidates. He became a priest on June 11, 1183, and a bishop on July 3, 1183. He was officially welcomed at Lincoln Cathedral on December 11, 1183.

While in Lincoln, Walter helped choose a new Archbishop of Canterbury. This was Baldwin of Forde. Some people, like Gerald of Wales, said Walter spent too much money and got the Lincoln church into debt. However, Walter did support scholars and schools in Lincoln.

On November 17, 1184, Walter became the Archbishop of Rouen. This was a higher church position than a bishop. Rouen was in Normandy, which was part of the English king's lands at the time. He was welcomed in Rouen on March 3, 1185.

Walter continued to serve King Henry II. He often visited the royal court. He was one of the most frequent witnesses to the king's official documents during Henry's last 10 years.

In 1186, Walter helped negotiate a truce between King Henry and King Philip II of France. In 1188, Walter promised to go on a Crusade with King Henry and King Philip.

In 1189, Walter was part of a group trying to settle a fight between King Henry II and his son, Richard. Richard wanted to be named Henry's heir. Henry refused. The talks failed.

Working for King Richard I

When Richard became king in 1189, Walter forgave him for rebelling against his father. Walter then officially made Richard the Duke of Normandy in a ceremony in Rouen. He also went with Richard to England for his coronation on September 3, 1189.

In 1189, Walter held a church meeting. They decided that church leaders should not hold government jobs. This was interesting because Walter himself held many such jobs.

Walter also helped settle a dispute between Archbishop Baldwin of Forde and the monks of Canterbury Cathedral. The monks were worried about Baldwin's plan to build a new church. Walter helped them reach a compromise in November 1189.

Walter went with King Richard on the Third Crusade to Sicily. In October 1190, he helped negotiate a peace treaty between Richard and the King of Sicily. Walter was also one of the treasurers for the crusader army.

Solving Problems in England

While Richard was away on the Crusade, problems arose in England. William Longchamp, whom Richard left in charge, was fighting with Prince John, Richard's younger brother. King Richard sent Walter back to England to fix these problems.

Walter arrived in England on June 27, 1191. He had royal documents to help him settle the disputes. A peace was made in July, leaving Longchamp in charge but with less power.

However, Longchamp later imprisoned Richard's half-brother, Geoffrey, Archbishop of York. This reminded people of the murder of Thomas Becket. Geoffrey was quickly released. Walter led a council that removed Longchamp from power in October 1191. Longchamp was exiled, and Walter became the new head of the government.

Leading the Government

After Longchamp was exiled, Walter became the head of a council that ran England. This job was like being the Chief Justiciar, even though Walter never used that exact title. He held this power until late 1193.

Walter's main job was to raise money for King Richard's ransom. Richard had been captured in Germany. Walter did not send out many judges because he was focused on collecting money.

Walter changed how official documents were issued. He started writing them in the king's name, not his own. He also made sure his decisions were made with the advice of important nobles. This was different from Longchamp, who had ruled more strictly.

Walter also oversaw the election of a new Archbishop of Canterbury. The king's choice, Hubert Walter, was elected in March 1193.

In 1191, the citizens of London gained more self-governing rights from Walter and Prince John. In February 1193, Walter called a meeting in Oxford. They discussed how to defend England after hearing that Richard was captured. Prince John tried to start a rebellion, but Walter's forces besieged Windsor Castle, which John's men held. John then fled to France.

In February 1194, Walter went to Germany. He became a hostage for the final payment of Richard's ransom. This meant he stayed behind until the money was paid. Richard was released, but he never paid the last part of his ransom. Walter had to pay a large sum of money to be released himself. After this, Walter stopped being involved in English politics.

Returning to Normandy

Walter returned to Normandy. In December 1195, he tried to get money for the damage his church lands had suffered during the wars between King Richard and King Philip. He didn't get any money from either king.

King Richard wanted a property called Andely manor, which belonged to Walter's church. Richard wanted to build a fortress there. Walter refused to give it up. Richard then took the land and started building Château Gaillard castle there.

Walter went to Rome to complain to the Pope. Eventually, a deal was made. Walter had to remove a church punishment he had placed on the area. In return, he received two other manors and the seaport of Dieppe. This marked the end of Walter's direct service to the kings. He then focused on protecting his church's properties.

Working for King John

When King Richard died in 1199, Walter officially made Richard's younger brother, John, the Duke of Normandy. This happened on April 25, 1199. John promised to protect the Norman church.

However, John later challenged some of Walter's church rights. Walter had to pay a large sum of money to keep most of these rights. In May 1200, Walter was involved in a peace treaty between King John and King Philip of France.

In 1201, there was a dispute over choosing a new bishop for Sées, a church area under Walter. King John disagreed with the church's choice. Walter refused to approve the election. The Pope eventually ordered another archbishop to consecrate the new bishop.

When King John lost control of Normandy to King Philip II of France in 1204, Walter did not fight against the new French government. He made peace with King Philip in 1207.

Walter as Archbishop

Even though Walter was away from Rouen for several years, he was an active archbishop. He made sure church leaders were safe from secular laws. He also managed the church's administration.

He started keeping official records of church decisions around 1200. He also appointed the first officials for Rouen. Walter oversaw the rebuilding of Rouen Cathedral, which had been damaged by a fire in 1200. The church leaders remembered him as a "magnificent benefactor."

Death and Legacy

Walter de Coutances died on November 16, 1207. He was buried at Rouen Cathedral. When he died, he owned many valuable jewels, church clothes, and a large library. His library had religious books, law books, and works by famous classical writers.

Walter's nephew, John of Coutances, became an important church leader too. He was the Archdeacon of Oxford and later the Dean of Rouen and Bishop of Worcester, thanks to Walter's help.

Historians describe Walter as a "great fixer" of his time. They believe his good judgment and steady nature made the kings trust him. A medieval poet even dedicated a satirical poem to Walter in 1184.