1. Walter Langton's origins were long unclear but following recent research it is apparent that he was the eldest son of Simon Peverel of "Langton" in Leicestershire, the exact location of which estate is uncertain.
22 Facts About Walter Langton
1. 2.
Walter Langton thus adopted the surname "de Langton" in lieu of his patronymic.
3.
Walter Langton appears to have been no relation of his contemporary, John Walter Langton, Bishop of Chichester.
4.
In 1265 his uncle William Walter Langton was elected Archbishop of York, but his appointment was superseded by the Pope's appointment of Bonaventura.
5.
Copies of charters preserved in his register, by which Walter Langton granted land and the advowson of the church of Adlingfleet, Yorkshire, to Selby Abbey, clearly states his paternity: Walter Langton names himself as "the son and heir of Simon Peverel".
6.
The King must have liked the young man, for he selected him for his service and in later years Walter Langton became "unquestionably Edwards's first minister and almost his only real confidant".
7.
Walter Langton took part in the suit over the succession to the Scottish throne in 1292, and visited France more than once on diplomatic business.
8.
Walter Langton became Treasurer from 1295 to 1307 and obtained several ecclesiastical preferments,.
9.
Accounts by historians say little about how Walter Langton escaped the charges of witchcraft at the tribunal at the Vatican over the 2 years he had to defend himself there.
10.
Walter Langton was allowed to return to England and his was eventually found innocent.
11.
In spite of the intercession of Clement V and even of the restored Archbishop Winchelsea, who was anxious to uphold the privileges of his order, Walter Langton, accused again by the barons in 1309, remained in prison after Edward's surrender to the ordainers in 1310.
12.
Walter Langton was a member of the royal council from this time until his dismissal at the request of parliament in 1315.
13.
Walter Langton conveyed Brington and Castle Ashby to his brother Robert Peverel and his wife Alice, and the estates descended to their son Edmund Peverel, the Bishop's nephew.
14.
Walter Langton laid the foundation of St Mary's chapel, in the cathedral, an edifice of uncommon beauty, in which he was interred; but dying before it was finished, he bequeathed a sufficient sum of money in his will to complete it.
15.
Walter Langton built bridges over the Minster pool, which made an easy communication with the city.
16.
Walter Langton obtained a grant from the Crown to lay an impost, for twenty-one years, upon the inhabitants, to pave the streets.
17.
Walter Langton improved the condition of the Vicars Choral, by augmenting their income, and by conferring upon them great privileges.
18.
Walter Langton gave his own palace at the west end of the Close to them, and erected a new episcopal palace at the north-east end.
19.
Walter Langton presented to the church large quantities of silver-plate, and many valuable vestments.
20.
Walter Langton erected that noble gate at the west entrance into the Close, a beautiful structure, worthy of its munificent founder; and which, in April 1800, was, with a barbarous taste, pulled down, and the materials applied to lay the foundation of a pile of new buildings, for the residence of necessitous widows of clergymen.
21.
Walter Langton built another beautiful gate at the south entrance, which was removed about fifty years ago.
22.
Walter Langton built or enlarged the castle at Eccleshall, the manor-houses of Heywood and Shugborough, and the palace in the Strand, London.