Dispute over the election of Richard Poore as Bishop of Winchester in 1205 Flashcards
Who did John want as Bishop of Winchester once the bishop died in 1204?
Peter des Roches
Why did John want Peter des Roches as Bishop of Winchester?
He had an annual income of over £3,000 and controlled 4 castles near the coast
What position did John want Peter de Roches to take in 1204?
Bishop of Winchester
Why was John angry that Richard Poore got elected as bishop of Winchester rather than Peter des Roches?
The monks elected Poore without an election from the King, and sent a group of monks to Rome for confirmation from Innocent
Why was Richard Poore technically banned from being a bishop under canon law?
Because he was likely a bastard
What did John do to Richard Poore’s supporters in response to his election as Bishop of Winchester?
John had Poore’s supporters arrested and wrapped in chains
What did John manage to get the canons to do?
He got them to re-elect Peter de Roches as bishop of Winchester rather than Poore, and sent him to Rome with monks to get his election confirmed
What did Pope Innocent III do when he found out the canons changed their mind and wanted Peter des Roches instead of Poore as Bishop of Winchester?
He investigated what happened and wrote a letter to Hubert Walter to reprimand John for interfering with elections
Who did Innocent send a letter to after he found out that John had interfered with the Bishop of Winchester election?
Hubert Walter
Overall what did Innocent decide regarding the Bishop of Winchester elections?
He squashed elections because Poore was probably illegitimate, there was no royal approval, and because of royal pressure in des Roches election
What happened to Peter des Roches even after the Bishop of Winchester elections were squashed?
He was elected by monks in Rome
Why was the treatment of Richard Poore’s supporters so bad?
They were held in chains from 1204 - 1207
