Hubert Walter

Hubert Walter
Archbishop of Canterbury
Stone statue of a robed man set in a niche. The top half of the head of the statue is missing.
Statue of Hubert Walter from the exterior of Canterbury Cathedral
Elected29 May 1193
Installed7 November 1193
Term ended13 July 1205
PredecessorReginald fitzJocelin
(elected but died before consecration)
SuccessorReginald
Other post(s)Bishop of Salisbury
Orders
Consecration22 October 1189
Personal details
Bornc. 1160
Died13 July 1205
BuriedTrinity Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral
ParentsHervey Walter
Maud de Valoignes
Chief Justiciar of England
In office
1193–1198
MonarchRichard I
Preceded byWalter de Coutances
Succeeded byGeoffrey fitzPeter
24th Lord Chancellor
In office
1199–1205
MonarchJohn
Preceded byEustace
Succeeded byWalter de Gray
Baron of the Exchequer
In office
1184–1185
MonarchHenry II

Hubert Walter (c. 1160 – 13 July 1205) was an influential royal adviser in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries in the positions of Chief Justiciar of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor. As chancellor, Walter began the keeping of the Charter Roll, a record of all charters issued by the chancery. Walter was not noted for his holiness in life or learning, but historians have judged him one of the most outstanding government ministers in English history.

Walter owed his early advancement to his uncle Ranulf de Glanvill, who helped him become a clerk of the Exchequer. Walter served King Henry II of England in many ways, not just in financial administration, but also including diplomatic and judicial efforts. After an unsuccessful candidacy to the see of York, Walter was elected Bishop of Salisbury shortly after the accession of Henry's son Richard I.

Walter accompanied Richard on the Third Crusade, and was one of the principals involved in raising Richard's ransom after the king was captured in Germany on his return from the Holy Land. As a reward for his faithful service, Walter was selected to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 1193. He also served as Richard's justiciar until 1198, in which role he was responsible for raising the money Richard needed to prosecute his wars in France. Walter set up a system that was the precursor for the modern justices of the peace, based on selecting four knights in each hundred to administer justice. He also revived his predecessor's dispute over setting up a church to rival Christ Church Priory in Canterbury, which was only settled when the pope ordered him to abandon the plan. Following Richard's death in 1199, Walter helped assure the elevation of Richard's brother John to the throne. Walter also served John as a diplomat, undertaking several missions to France.