Did You Know 10 - Peter Des Roches?
over 4 years ago
– Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 05:22:10 AM
Peter Des Roches, was a native of the Touraine in north-central France, Poitevin diplomat, soldier, and administrator, one of the ablest statesmen of his time, who enjoyed a brilliant but checkered career, largely in England in the service of kings John and Henry III.
As bishop of Winchester from 1205 through John's influence, the new bishop stood by John's side during the whole period of the papal interdict set upon him due to John's refusal to accept Stephen Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury despite Papal warning.
In 1213 Peter was made Chief Justiciar in succession to Geoffrey Fitz Peter. This promotion was justified by the fidelity with which Peter supported the king through the First Barons' War. However, he proved to be very unpopular and was replaced by Hubert de Burgh by 1215. In 1216, Peter was named Sheriff of Hampshire.
At the battle of Lincoln in 1217, Peter led a division of the royal army and earned some distinction by his valour, but much to his frustration it was not enough finding he played a secondary part in the government as long as William Marshal held the regency. After Marshal's death in 1219, Peter led a baronial opposition to the justiciar de Burgh, with varying success.
Des Roches crowned Henry III and was his tutor until 1227. As the most influential Poitevin in the country, he headed a group of alien officials and soldiers who eventually fell out of favour suffering political defeat at the hands of Hubert de Burgh, in 1223–24.
He accompanied the emperor Frederick II’s crusade (1228–29) and reached Jerusalem. On his return the administrative methods he advocated led to baronial opposition in 1233, and by 1234 Henry III dismissed Peter des Roches from favour.
Footnote: There is a legend retold in 'The Lanercost Chronicle' which relates out hunting one day, Peter encountered King Arthur, dined with him, and asked for a token of their meeting. Arthur told him to close his hand, then open it, whereupon a butterfly flew out. It is said for the rest of his life, Roches was able to repeat this miracle so that he became known as the Butterfly Bishop.
This is number ten in a series of 'Did You Know?' about the First Barons' War the others can be found on my Facebook page.