John the Chanter
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John the Chanter | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Exeter | |
| Appointed | 1184 |
| Term ended | 1 June 1191 |
| Predecessor | Bartholomew Iscanus |
| Successor | Henry Marshal |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 5 October 1186 |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1 June 1191 |
| Buried | Exeter Cathedral |
| Denomination | Catholic |
John the Chanter (died 1 June 1191) was a medieval Bishop of Exeter.
John's exact background is unclear, though biographer John Prince refers to him as "a native" of Devon.[1] Liskeard lawyer Frederick Caunter states that he was born in Exeter, and was said to be a great-grandson of Condor, Earl of Cornwall.[2] He may be the same person as the John Planeta, who was a clerk of Thomas Becket's during Becket's exile, but the connection is not proven.[3] Antiquaries Thomas Duffus Hardy and John Le Neve say he was originally Sub-Dean of Salisbury,[2] though all that is known for certain is that he was elderly when he was consecrated as Bishop.[3]
According to antiquary Richard Izacke, John was installed Bishop of Exeter in 1184 and served for six years.[2] He was consecrated on 5 October 1186.[4] According to Caunter, "he appears to have been of good repute" and carried out a number of repairs to the cathedral during his short time as bishop.[2] He was present at King Richard I's coronation in 1189.[3]
John died on 1 June 1191.[4] He was buried in an altar tomb under the south tower of Exeter Cathedral, which survives to this day.[5] The Caunter family traditionally claim a connection to John, though Frederick Caunter considered this unlikely.[2]
