John Kirkby

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Not to be confused with John Kirkby, bishop of Carlisle.
John Kirkby
Denomination Catholic
Senior posting
See Diocese of Ely
Title Bishop of Ely
Period in office 1286–1290
Predecessor Hugh de Balsham
Successor William of Louth
Religious career
Priestly ordination September 22, 1286
Previous post Archdeacon of Coventry
Personal
Date of death March 26, 1290

John Kirkby (d. March 26, 1290) was an English ecclesiastic and statesman.

[edit] Life

He entered the public service as a clerk of the chancery during the reign of Henry III. Under England I he acted as keeper of the great seal during the frequent absences of the chancellor, Robert Burnell, being referred to as vice-chancellor.[1] Often considered Burnell's protege,[2] in 1282 he was employed by the king to make a tour through the counties and boroughs for the purpose of collecting money for the Welsh War.[3] His services to Edward were well rewarded, and although not yet ordained priest he held several valuable benefices in the church.[1] One such benefice was Archdeacon of Coventry.[4]

He was Lord Treasurer from January 1284 to his death.[4] Kirkby was probably behind the reforms that took place in the treasury and exchequer. Book-keeping methods were updated, information on sources of income improved, and efforts to collect debts to the crown intensified.[5] Kirkby's Quest is the name given to a survey of various English counties which was made under Kirkby's direction in 1285 as part of this effort. The inquest investigated debts owed to the king, the status of vills, and the holding of knight's fees.[6] Also in 1285, King Edward I of England appointed Kirkby to oversee an judicial commission investigating disorder in London. Kirkby summoned the lord mayor and the aldermen of London to the Tower of London to appear before the commission. When the lord mayor of London resigned in protest at Kirkby's summons, Kirkby occupied the city and no lord mayor took office until 1298.[7]

In 1283 he was chosen bishop of Rochester, but owing to the opposition of the archbishop of Canterbury, John Peckham, he did not press his claim to this see.[8] Pecham objected to his being bishop of Rochester because Kirkby was a pluralist.[9] On July 26, 1286, however, two years after he had become treasurer, he was elected bishop of Ely, and he was ordained priest and then consecrated on September 22, 1286 by Peckham, who did not object on pluralism grounds this time.[9] He was enthroned at Ely Cathedral on December 24, 1286.[10]

He died at Ely on 26 March 1290[11] after a botched attempt to bleed him.[12] He was buried in Ely Cathedral. When he died, he left a brother William as his heir and four married sisters. Kirkby was a benefactor to his see, to which he left some property in London, including Ely Place.[1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c Prestwich "‘Kirkby, John (d. 1290)’" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  2. ^ Prestwich Edward I p. 234
  3. ^ Prestwich Edward I p. 238
  4. ^ a b Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 104
  5. ^ Prestwich Edward I p. 241-242
  6. ^ Prestwich Edward I pp. 236-237
  7. ^ Prestwich Edward I p. 265
  8. ^ British History Online Bishops of Rochester accessed on October 25, 2007
  9. ^ a b Prestwich Edward I pp. 234-235
  10. ^ British History Online Bishops of Ely accessed on October 25, 2007
  11. ^ Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 244
  12. ^ Prestwich Edward I p. 343

[edit] References

Political offices
Preceded by
Richard Ware		 Lord Treasurer
1284–1290		 Succeeded by
William of March
Roman Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
John Bradfield		 Bishop of Rochester
refused election
1283		 Succeeded by
Thomas Ingoldsthorpe
Preceded by
Hugh de Balsham		 Bishop of Ely
1286–1290		 Succeeded by
William of Louth
Persondata
NAME Kirkby, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Bishop of Ely; Lord High Treasurer of England; Bishop of Rochester-elect
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH March 26, 1290
PLACE OF DEATH