Civil Servant
1376 – Walter is Arch Deacon of East Yorkshire when he is called to London to enter the King’s service (Edward Ill). Now answerable to the King not the Pope.
Walter is appointed Dean of Free Chapel of St Martin’s Le Grande within the City of London. St Martin’s is the centre of government and judicial administration acting as a court of Appeal
Walter is the ideal candidate to be at the heart of Government administration, he is a Doctor of Law, has practical experience as an Arch Deacon and he understands Papal courts.
As a King’s clerk, Walter is able to grant pardons to those found guilty of crimes. A pardon was granted to William, son of Stephen Withernwick who killed Richard Grunset claiming self-defence and who also stood accused of breaking out of Hull prison.
1376 – , King Edward is taken ill in September. A few weeks later, Walter witnesses the signing of the King’s will.
1377 – In March, Walter is promoted to Chancery Clerk. He is responsible for Negotiating loans for the King, Supervising provisioning of ships, Supervising the Wool export trade and Acting as a deputy Chancellor keeper of the Kings Seal.
1377 – Death of Edward Ill. In June The victor at Crecy and conqueror of large swathes of France is dead with England now holding just land around Calais. Hence the ongoing talks to agree a lasting peace treaty. Richard, the late King’s grandson aged 10 is the new King.
During this period of the Kings minority, Walter gains a reputation as a loyal trustworthy servant.
1381 – Peasants Revolt and the infamous Poll Tax is introduced. The tax triples the tax burden whilst wages are held down. Walter is not caught up in the rioting, unlike Archbishop Sudbury who is killed by the mob. Walter gains an exemption for all his staff from the poll tax.
1382 – Walter is promoted to Keeper of the Privy Seal, one of the three great offices of state. August
1386 – Walter is appointed Bishop Bath and Wells. This period is marked by tension between the Church and the King. Walter survives the tensions and is seen as an able, effective administrator.
Prince Bishop
1388 – In August, Walter is appointed Prince Bishop of Durham in April.
A Prince Bishop held considerable powers conferred on him by the King, in fact almost equaling those of the King. Statutes approved by Parliament applied to the Palatine but orders in council did not.
The boundaries of Walter’s jurisdiction spread from the border with Scotland to the Tees and Yarm in the south and to the west of the Pennines. The role of the Prince Bishop was to protect the border with Scotland and provide sound administration for the area.
The Palatine acted like an independent country in many ways, a buffer state between England and Scotland. Common law, criminal law and finance were all devolved to the Prince Bishop’s local administration. The only area that the Palatine and Prince Bishop had no role was foreign relations, this was the King’s responsibility.
The Prince Bishop could raise taxes and custom duties to pay for his government and its responsibilities. Custom duties and tolls for roads and bridges were the primary methods of raising money.
A local mint produced coinage with initials on the coins not the King’s.
Walter was fortunate that following the Battle of Otterburn the last major Scottish incursion was just before he was appointed and there were no major invasions during his time as Prince Bishop.
Diplomat
1377 – Walter commences his diplomatic duties in May 1377 tasked with extending the cease fire for the on-going dispute (100 years war) with France. His efforts are in vain, French ships attack English fleet in June 1377.
1378 – International relations are further complicated when Pope Gregory dies and is succeeded by 2 popes, Urban VI based in Rome supported by England, Germany and Italy and Clement VII based in Avignon supported by France Scotland and Spain
1382 – King Richard Il marries Anne of Bohemia. Walter is praised by the Pope for his role in arranging the marriage.
1382 – The pope requests a meeting in Rome. At the Pope’s request, Walter meets Charles, the son of Queen Joanna of Naples who supports Clement as Pope. Charles invades Naples, captures and executes his mother.
1383-1385 – On going talks with France to agree and extend the peace treaty.
1388 – Scots Invade England and are victorious at the Battle of Otterburn. Walter is in Calais negotiating with the French. A four year truce is agreed between England and France.
1393 – Walter is back jn France to try to resolve land issues.
1394 – King Richard’s Wife dies leaving no heir to the crown. Walter is charged with helping to agree a new marriage with a suitable bride. King Charles of France offers his daughter to King Richard and he is married to Isabella. Isabella is 6 years old.
1398 – Walter was selected as the preferred candidate to become the new Archbishop of York. Richard Il dismissed the selection and appointed Richard Scope. Scope would go on to lead the revolt in 1405 against King Henry and was executed (beheaded) at York in 1405.
1399 – John of Gaunt dies and King Richard seizes his land. John’s son (Henry Bolingbroke) has been banished by the King but he returns to claim his land. King Richard yields to him at Flint Castle and Henry IV becomes the new King. Walter attends Parliament that ratifies the change and agrees to Richard’s imprisonment in Pontefract Castle where he dies, thought to be from starvation. Walter attends Henry IV’s coronation and serves on Henry’s King’s Council.
January 1400 – Fearing a French invasion following the deposing of King Richard, Walter was ordered by Henry IV to raise an army to defend the Palatine against invasion. The anticipated invasion or raids did not materialise.
April 1401 – Walter is empowered to negotiate with the French the returning of Queen Isabella back to France.
June 1401 – A convoy of 500 people set off from London for Dover to return Isabella and her household back to Calais. Isabella is mourning and dressed in black. The journey took one month. A new peace treaty was agreed with France which is Walter’s final act as a diplomat and parliamentarian.