John Kirkby

Infobox bishopbiog
name =John Kirkby


religion =Catholic
See =Diocese of Ely
Title = Bishop of Ely
Period = 1286–1290
Predecessor = Hugh de Balsham
Successor =William of Louth
ordination =September 22 1286
bishops =
post =Archdeacon of Coventry
date of birth =
place of birth =
date of death =March 26 1290
place of death =

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

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.Prestwich "‘Kirkby, John (d. 1290)’" "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography"] Often considered Burnell's protege,Prestwich "Edward I" p. 234] 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.Prestwich "Edward I" p. 238] His services to Edward were well rewarded, and although not yet ordained priest he held several valuable benefices in the church. One such benefice was Archdeacon of Coventry.Fryde "Handbook of British Chronology" p. 104]

He was Lord Treasurer from January 1284 to his death. 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.Prestwich "Edward I" p. 241-242] "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.Prestwich "Edward I" pp. 236-237] 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.Prestwich "Edward I" p. 265]

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. [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33873 British History Online Bishops of Rochester] accessed on October 25, 2007] Pecham objected to his being bishop of Rochester because Kirkby was a pluralist.Prestwich "Edward I" pp. 234-235] 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. He was enthroned at Ely Cathedral on December 24 1286. [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33863 British History Online Bishops of Ely] accessed on October 25, 2007]

He died at Ely on 26 March 1290Fryde "Handbook of British Chronology" p. 244] after a botched attempt to bleed him.Prestwich "Edward I" p. 343] 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.

Notes

References

* [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33863 British History Online Bishops of Ely] accessed on October 25, 2007
* [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=33873 British History Online Bishops of Rochester] accessed on October 25, 2007
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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=