Walter Suffield
13th-century Bishop of Norwich
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Walter Suffield (died 19 May 1257) was a medieval Bishop of Norwich.
Walter Suffield | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Norwich | |
| Elected | c. 9 July 1244 |
| Term ended | 19 May 1257 |
| Predecessor | William de Raley |
| Successor | Simon Walton |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 26 February 1245 |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 19 May 1257 |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Life
Suffield was a canonist at Paris before his election to the see of Norwich about 9 July 1244. He was consecrated on 26 February 1245.[1] He was an eloquent preacher, and showed generosity to the poor (during one famine, even selling some of his own goods in order to provide them with food).[2]
In 1249, he founded St. Giles's Hospital in Norwich (which remains in use as the Great Hospital to this day) to provide care for the poor.[3]
He has been reported as visiting his bishop's palace at South Elmham Hall where he enjoyed the hunting.[4]
He died on 19 May 1257,[5] leaving bequests to both the poor and the hospital.[6]
