Walter Langton - Life Before Royal Service

Life Before Royal Service

According to the Hughes paper:

In October 1298 Bishop Langton was licensed by Henry of Newark, archbishop of York, to ordain Walter and Robert Clipston, (his nephews), then aged seven and five years respectively, to all minor orders.

Although there is little research on the issue, he may have entered the church at a similar age. It is known that his uncle William Langton became Dean of York in 1262 and he may have come under his uncle's supervision at that time. In 1265 his uncle William Langton was elected by the brothers, Archbishop of York, but his appointment was superseded by the Pope's appointment of Bonaventura.

In public life both men took the name of their village of Langton West in Leicestershire, however their family name was Peverel. Hughes says:

Langton's register clarifies the bishop's connection with the Peverel families of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and shows that he was a Peverel by birth.

Copies of charters preserved in his register, by which Langton granted land and the advowson of the church of Adlingfleet, Yorkshire, to Selby Abbey, clearly states his paternity: Langton names himself as the son and heir of Simon Peverel. Although there is little research on the issue, it may be supposed that this family of Peverels represented that of William Peverel the favourite illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. William Peverel built Peveril Castle at Castleton to protect the Royal Forest of the Peak of which he was the "High Steward". He also had a son called William Peverel, who attempted to poison Ranulf Earl of Chester and was accused of being a witch. As a result the family had it estates confiscated by the Crown and it fell from honour. Although it occurred a considerable time before, it may be supposed that the two men adopted another name in public life to give them advantage which their family name no longer could.

Keighley Shared Church is represented by St Andrew’s Church at Keighley, West Yorkshire. Amongst its rectors is listed Walter de Langton, inducted 1272. More research into the Bishop’s life at this time may shed more light into his relationship with the wife of Sir John Lovetot.

It is said in the chronicles that King Edward I of England selected Walter Langton for his service.