The Winchester Constitutional Contribution 1070–1346

First among equals before the Norman Conquest, the ancient See of Winchester was soon overtaken by Canterbury, York and London following the defeat of the Anglo-Saxons at Hastings.

Despite this, it retained its wealth and prestige through its geographical position and the bishop’s unrivalled proximity to kings at Westminster and archbishops at Lambeth – thanks to the diocese’s hold on the Thames’ south bank and its base at Southwark. This helped ensure that successive bishops were drawn from among the finest medieval administrators.

Frequently serving as chancellors or treasurers of England, they had immense opportunity to influence the development of early English government. They played key roles in shaping an effective legal and financial system, in securing Magna Carta and in promoting an embryonic parliament. A Bishop of Winchester was present at most, if not all, major events under the Norman and early Plantagenet monarchs. The Winchester bishop’s removal of the hapless Edward II paved the way for the long and illustrious reign of his son, Edward III.