Background
Walter Langton was born on September 2, 1243.
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Walter Langton
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Appointed a clerk in the royal chancery, he became a favourite servant of Edward I, taking part in the suit over the succession to the Scottish throne in 1292, and visiting France more than once on diplomatic business.
He obtained several ecclesiastical preferments, became treasurer in 1295, and in 1296 bishop of Lichfield.
Having become unpopular, the barons in 1301 vainly asked Edward to dismiss him; about the same time he was accused of murder, adultery and simony.
Suspended from his office, he went to Rome to be tried before Pope Boniface VIII, who referred the case to Winchelsea, archbishop of Canterbury; the archbishop, although Langton's lifelong enemy, found him innocent, and this sentence was confirmed by Boniface in 1303.
Throughout these difficulties, and also during a quarrel with the prince of Wales, afterwards Edward II, the treasurer was loyally supported by the king.
His lands, together with a great hoard of movable wealth, were seized, and he was accused of misappropriation and venality.
Excommunicated by Winchelsea, he appealed to the pope, visited him at Avignon, and returned to England after the archbishop's death in May 1313.
Langton appears to have been no relation of his contemporary, John Langton, bishop of Chichester.
Achievements
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References
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Born
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Died
January 9, 1321 (aged 77) -
Resting place
Lichfield cathedral, Staffordshire, United Kingdom -
Nationality
British -
Religion
Catholic