Hubert Walter

Hubert Walter
Archbishop of Canterbury
Statue of Hubert Walter from the exterior of Canterbury Cathedral
Elected	29 May 1193
Installed	7 November 1193
Term ended	13 July 1205
Predecessor	Reginald fitzJocelin (elected but died before consecration)
Successor	Reginald
Other post(s)	Bishop of Salisbury
Orders
Consecration	22 October 1189
Personal details
Born	c. 1160
Died	13 July 1205
Buried	Trinity Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral
Parents	Hervey Walter Maud de Valoignes
Chief Justiciar of England
In office 1193–1198
Monarch	Richard I
Preceded by	Walter de Coutances
Succeeded by	Geoffrey fitzPeter
24th Lord Chancellor
In office 1199–1205
Monarch	John
Preceded by	Eustace
Succeeded by	Walter de Gray
Baron of the Exchequer
In office 1184–1185
Monarch	Henry 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.