Walter de Norwich explained

Honorific Prefix:Sir
Death Date:1329
Honorific Suffix:Baron of the Exchequer
Office:Chief Baron of the Exchequer
Term Start:2 February 1327
Term End:1329
Termstart2:8 March 1312
Termend2:28 September 1314
Term1:1317 – after 1320
Monarch1:Edward II
Monarch2:Edward II
Predecessor:Hervey de Stanton
Successor:John Stonor
Office3:Lord High Treasurer
Term3:25 August 1321 – 10 May 1322
Term4:29 September 1319 – 18 February 1320
Term5:26 September 1314 – 27 May 1317
Term6:17 May 1312 – 4 October 1312
Term7:23 October 1311 – 23 January 1312
Termlabel3:Acting
Termlabel4:Acting
Termlabel6:Acting
Termlabel7:Acting
Predecessor3:Walter Stapledon
Successor3:Walter Stapledon
Successor4:John Sandale
Predecessor4:Walter Stapledon
Predecessor5:John Sandale
Successor5:John Hotham
Successor6:John Sandale
Predecessor6:Walter Langton
Successor7:Walter Langton
Predecessor7:John Sandale
Monarch3:Edward II
Monarch4:Edward II
Monarch5:Edward II
Monarch6:Edward II
Monarch7:Edward II
Spouse:Catherine de Hedersett
Children:4, including John
Relatives:Robert Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk (son in law)

Sir Walter de Norwich (died 1329) was an English statesman who served as Lord High Treasurer, Chief Baron of the Exchequer and as a Baron of the Exchequer between 1311 and 1329.

Early life

Walter de Norwich was possibly the son of Geoffrey de Norwich.[1] Though, other sources have suggested he was the son of Sir John de Norwich, Lord of Mettingham.[2]

The first reference to Norwich was in 1297; which stated that he held the manor Stoke, Norfolk.

Career

Norwich was in the royal service on 15 March 1308 as a remembrancer, and on 24 November 1308 he became a clerk of the Exchequer. He became a Baron of the Exchequer on 29 August 1311 but resigned on 23 October to act as Lord High Treasurer. He became a Baron of the Exchequer again on 3 March 1312 and became Chief Baron of the Exchequer on 8 March 1312. He became lord High Treasurer again on 17 May 1312 whilst retaining his position as Chief Baron, before leaving the position on 4 October 1312.

On 26 September 1314, he was appointed Lord High Treasurer and resigned as Chief Baron two days later. He resigned as Lord High Treasurer on 27 May 1317, but became Chief Baron again until at least 1320. In April 1318, in his capacity as a Baron of the Exchequer, Norwich was present at the parliament held in Leicester to attempt a reconciliation between the King and Thomas of Lancaster. He again served as Lord High Treasurer from 29 September 1319 to 18 February 1320.

In 1321, Norwich was a judge in the trial of Roger Mortimer of Chirk and of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. He became Chief Baron again on 2 February 1327 under new king Edward III, despite his condemnation of the Mortimers whose sentences were both eventually cancelled.

Personal life and death

Norwich was married to Catherine, daughter of John de Hedersett and widow of Peter Bracuhe. They had three sons: John, Roger and Thomas. Their son, John, became a Member of Parliament (MP).[3] Their daughter, Margaret, married firstly to Sir Thomas Cailey and then to Robert Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk.

Walter de Norwich died in 1329[4] and was buried in Norwich Cathedral. He was survived by his wife.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Stephen, Leslie . Dictionary of National Biography . Lee . Sir Sidney . 1895 . Smith, Elder, & Company . en.
  2. Book: Suckling, Alfred . The history and antiquities of the County of Suffolk . 1846 . Author [J. Weale] . en.
  3. Book: Nicolas, Sir Nicholas Harris . The Historic Peerage of England: Exhibiting, Under Alphabetical Arrangement, the Origin, Descent, and Present State of Every Title of Peerage which Has Existed in this Country Since the Conquest ; Being a New Edition of the "Synopsis of the Peerage of England" . 1857 . John Murray . en.
  4. Book: Rawcliffe, Carole . Medieval Norwich . Wilson . Richard . 2006-10-01 . A&C Black . 978-1-85285-546-8 . en.