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

Walter Suffield
Bishop of Norwich
Electedc. 9 July 1244
Term ended19 May 1257
PredecessorWilliam de Raley
SuccessorSimon Walton
Orders
Consecration26 February 1245
Personal details
Died19 May 1257
DenominationRoman Catholic

Life

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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]

 
Suffield's plaque in Bishopgate, Norwich, NR1 1AA

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]

Citations

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  1. ^ British History Online Bishops of Norwich accessed on 29 October 2007
  2. ^ Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)
  3. ^ Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)
  4. ^ "South Elmham Hall". Suffolk Heritage Explorer. Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  5. ^ Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 261
  6. ^ Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)

References

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Norwich
1244–1257
Succeeded by