Walcher was the bishop of Durham from 1071, a Lotharingian and the first Prince-bishop.
10 Facts About Walcher
1.
2.
Walcher was the first non-Englishman to hold that see and an appointee of William the Conqueror following the Harrying of the North.
3.
Walcher was murdered in 1080, which led William to send an army into Northumbria to harry the region again.
4.
Walcher was a priest in Lotharingia from Liege and a secular clerk.
5.
Walcher planned to introduce monks into his cathedral chapter, and was remembered as encouraging monasticism in his diocese.
6.
The medieval chronicler Symeon of Durham stated that Walcher had begun construction of monastic buildings at Durham as part of his plan to introduce monks into Durham.
7.
One of Walcher's councillors was Ligulf of Lumley, who was connected by birth to the old Northumbrian line and was married to the daughter of Ealdred, Earl of Bernicia.
8.
Walcher travelled with at least one hundred retainers for safety.
9.
Walcher rejected these and the enraged Northumbrians attacked the Norman party.
10.
Walcher was considered a well-educated bishop, and had a reputation as a pious man.