Walter Suffield Explained

Walter Suffield
Bishop of Norwich
Ended:19 May 1257
Predecessor:William de Raley
Successor:Simon Walton
Consecration:26 February 1245
Death Date:19 May 1257
Religion:Roman Catholic

Walter Suffield (died 19 May 1257) was a medieval Bishop of Norwich.

Life

Suffield was a canonist at Paris before his election to the see of Norwich about 9 July 1244. He was consecrated on 26 February 1245.[1] He was an eloquent preacher, and showed generosity to the poor (during one famine, even selling some of his own goods in order to provide them with food).[2]

In 1249, he founded St. Giles's Hospital in Norwich (which remains in use as the Great Hospital to this day) to provide care for the poor.[3]

He has been reported as visiting his bishop's palace at South Elmham Hall where he enjoyed the hunting.[4]

He died on 19 May 1257,[5] leaving bequests to both the poor and the hospital.[6]

References

Notes and References

  1. http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33866 British History Online Bishops of Norwich
  2. [#refIFoA|Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)]
  3. [#refIFoA|Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)]
  4. Web site: South Elmham Hall . Suffolk Heritage Explorer . Suffolk County Council . 21 July 2024.
  5. Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 261
  6. [#refIFoA|Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)]