Peter des Roches

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Peter des Roches (died 1238) was bishop of Winchester in the reigns of John of England and his son Henry III. Roches was not an Englishman, but a Poitevin.

Towards the end of Richard I reign, Roches became Lord Chamberlain and an influential counsellor. In 1205, through John's influence, he was elected to the see of Winchester. His election was disputed but, on appeal, confirmed by Pope Innocent III, who honored Roches by consecrating him in person. None the less, the new bishop stood by John's side during the whole period of the papal interdict set upon him due to the death of his nephew Arthur I, Duke of Brittany. In 1213 Roches was made justiciar in succession to Geoffrey Fitz Peter. This promotion was justified by the fidelity with which Roches supported the king through the barons' war. At the battle of Lincoln (1217) the bishop led a division of the royal army and earned some distinction by his valour; but he played a secondary part in the government so long as William Marshal held the regency. After Marshal's death (1219) Roches led the baronial opposition to Hubert de Burgh, with varying success. At first the justiciar was successful.

The bishop was responsible for founding several monasteries in England and France, including Titchfield Abbey and Netley Abbey, both in Hampshire, England, and La Clarté-Dieu in Poitou, France.