| Walter Branscombe | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Exeter | |
| See | Diocese of Exeter |
| Elected | 23 February 1258 |
| Enthroned | 14 April 1258 |
| Reign ended | 22 July 1280 |
| Predecessor | Richard Blund |
| Successor | Peter Quinel |
| Other posts | Archdeacon of Surrey |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 March 1258 |
| Consecration | 10 March 1258 by Boniface of Savoy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | circa (c.) 1220 |
| Died | 22 July 1280 |
| Buried | Exeter Cathedral |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Walter Branscombe (or Walter Bronscombe, Walter Branescombe, Walter Bronescombe, or Walter Bronescomb; circa 1220–1280) was Bishop of Exeter from 1258 to 1280.
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Nothing is known of Branscombe's ancestry or education, but he was born in Exeter about 1220. He held a prebend in of St Nicholas's College at Wallingford Castle, as well as a number of other benefices.[1] He also was archdeacon of Surrey.[2] In 1250, he acted as King Henry III of England's representative at the papal curia, and was appointed the king's proctor the next year. Besides being a royal clerk, he was often named as a papal chaplain also. Before 1254 he became a canon of Exeter Cathedral.[1]
Branscombe was elected to the see of Exeter on 23 February 1258 and consecrated on 10 March 1258.[3] He was ordained a priest on 10 March 1258, with both rites being performed by Boniface of Savoy, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was enthroned at Exeter on 14 April 1258.[1]
Maurice Powicke's opinion was that, having been trained in the royal service, Branscombe settled down to become an assiduous diocesan bishop.[4] He faced some problems at the start of his time as bishop, for right after the death of the previous bishop, Richard Blund, a number of Blund's officials and clerks had used Blund's seal to forge letters giving away benefices as well as Blund's property. This left Branscombe with debts and administrative issues.[5] He undertook building work on the Lady Chapel and choir in Exeter Cathedral.[6] He also continued to perform diplomatic missions for the king, as he was at Paris in 1258 and 1263. He attended a general council of the church held at Lyons in the summer of 1274.[1]
Branscombe's register of his diocesan administration is the earliest episcopal one surviving from Exeter. He was a founder of a number of churches in his diocese, and issued sets of instructions for his cathedral church as well as others in his diocese. His last years were occupied with a dispute with Edmund the Earl of Cornwall over the earl's infringement of ecclesiastical rights.[1]
Branscombe died on 22 July 1280[3] at Bishopsteignton. He was buried in Exeter Cathedral, where his tomb, with the bishop's effigy, still survives.[1]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard Blund |
Bishop of Exeter 1258–1280 |
Succeeded by Peter Quinel |