John Peckham

John Peckham
Archbishop of Canterbury
Effigy from Peckham's tomb in Canterbury Cathedral
Appointed25 January 1279
Term ended8 December 1292
PredecessorRobert Burnell
SuccessorRobert Winchelsey
Orders
Consecration19 February 1279
by Pope Nicholas III
Personal details
Bornc. 1230
Died8 December 1292
Mortlake
BuriedCanterbury Cathedral
DenominationCatholic
Ordination history of
John Peckham
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byPope Nicholas III
Date19 February 1279
PlaceRome, Papal States
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by John Peckham as principal consecrator
John Darlington, O.P.27 August 1279
Oliver Sutton19 May 1280
Richard Gravesend11 August 1280
Thomas Beck6 October 1280
Richard Swinfield7 March 1283
Thomas Ingaldesthorp26 September 1283
Walter Scammell22 October 1284
John Kirkby22 September 1286
Henry Brandeston1 June 1287
Gilbert of Saint Leofard5 September 1288
Ralph Walpole20 March 1289
William de La Corner8 May 1289
William of Louth1 October 1290
Thomas of Wouldham, O.S.B.6 January 1292
Bishop Thomas Button16 March 1292
Nicolas Longespee16 March 1292

John Peckham[a] (c. 1230 – 8 December 1292) was a Franciscan friar and Archbishop of Canterbury in the years 1279–1292.

Peckham studied at the University of Paris under Bonaventure, where he later taught theology and became known as a conservative opponent of Thomas Aquinas, especially regarding the nature of the soul. Peckham also studied optics and astronomy - his studies in those subjects were particularly influenced by Roger Bacon and Alhazen.[1] Around 1270, Peckham returned to England, where he taught at the University of Oxford, and was elected the Franciscans provincial minister of England in 1275. After a brief stint in Rome, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1279. His time as archbishop was marked by efforts to improve discipline in the clergy as well as reorganize the estates of his see. He served King Edward I of England in Wales.

As archbishop, Peckham oversaw attempts to close down Jewish synagogues, punish relapsing Jews from "returning to their vomit", and associating with Christians. He also opposed the loaning of money at interest and criticised Queen Eleanor of Castile for purchasing and abusing these loans to dispossess nobles of their property.[b]

Before and during his time as archbishop, Peckham wrote several works on optics, philosophy, and theology, as well as writing hymns. Numerous manuscripts of his works survive. On his death, his body was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, but his heart was given to the Franciscans for burial.


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  1. ^ Lindberg, David C. (1976). Theories of Vision from Al-Kindi to Kepler. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 117.