13 Facts About Robert Winchelsey

Robert Winchelsey was an English Catholic theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury.

Robert Winchelsey studied at the universities of Paris and Oxford, and later taught at both.

Robert Winchelsey was an opponent of the king's treasurer Walter Langton as well as other clergy.

Robert Winchelsey soon joined the king's enemies and was the only bishop to object to the return of the king's favourite, Piers Gaveston.

Robert Winchelsey studied and taught at the universities of Paris and Oxford, and became the Rector of Paris, and Chancellor of Oxford.

Robert Winchelsey held the prebend of Oxgate in the diocese of London, and was made Archdeacon of Essex, in the London diocese, in about 1288.

Robert Winchelsey did concede though that if the war with France, which was what the money was requested to fund, continued into the following year, then the clergy would be amenable to making further contributions.

Robert Winchelsey conceded that the clergy could return to his protection if they paid a fine of a fifth of their revenues, exactly what the northern clergy had offered in the way of taxation.

Robert Winchelsey then tried to mediate between Edward and the earls, who objected to Edward's tax demands.

Robert Winchelsey further irritated Edward with his opposition to the Bishop of Lichfield, Walter Langton, who was the king's treasurer.

Robert Winchelsey vigorously asserted his authority over his suffragan, or subordinate bishops, quarrelled with Pope Boniface VIII over a Sussex living, and was excommunicated by one of the pope's clerks in 1301.

Robert Winchelsey aided the barons in their prosecution of Edward II by sentencing their enemies to excommunication.

Robert Winchelsey was a preacher of some note, and when preaching at St Paul's he attracted large crowds to his sermons and lectures.