Ralph de Warneville

Ralph de Warneville (died 1191; sometimes Ralph de Varneville<ref name=Reign178>Turner and Heiser Reign of Richard Lionheart pp. 178-179.</ref> or Ralf of Wanneville<ref name=Loss70>Powicke Loss of Normandy, p. 70.</ref>) was the twentieth Lord Chancellor of England as well as later Bishop of Lisieux in Normandy.

Ralph was probably from Varneville aux Grès in Normandy, from which he derived his name.<ref name=TreasBHOYork>Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Treasurers of York</ref>Template:Efn

Ralph became Treasurer of Rouen sometime between 11 July 1146, the last appearance of his predecessor in office, and 27 September 1146 when Ralph is named as treasurer for the first time. He held the office of treasurer until 1176.<ref name=Spear219>Spear Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals, p. 219.</ref> He acquired the office of Archdeacon of Rouen in 1170, holding the office along with the treasurership of Rouen for a few years.<ref name=Spear214>Spear Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals, p. 214.</ref>Template:Efn After he left the treasurership, Ralph was accused by the cathedral chapter of Rouen of misusing some of the funds of the cathedral, and the dispute dragged on until 1188, when it was heard by a papal commission.<ref name=Spear219/>

Ralph also held offices in England. He was Treasurer of York from 1167 until 1181,<ref name=TreasBHOYork/> and was Archdeacon of the East Riding at about the same time.<ref name=ArchERBHOYork>Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Archdeacons: East Riding</ref> Ralph served King Henry II of England as Lord Chancellor from 1173 to 1181.<ref name=Handbook84>Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology, p. 84.</ref>

Ralph was a friend of Arnulf of Lisieux, Bishop of Lisieux, and benefited from Arnulf's intercession with the Bishop of Poitiers. But during Ralph's chancellorship, Ralph was one of the royal officials that urged Arnulf to resign his bishopric.<ref name=Spear219/> Arnulf was suspected by King Henry of supporting Henry's sons in their Revolt of 1173–74, and eventually Arnulf was forced to resign his see.<ref name=Warren211>Warren Henry II, p. 211.</ref> Ralph also had custody of the castle and royal lands at Vaudreuil in Normandy in the 1180s, and was still owing accounts for his administration at his death.<ref name=Loss70/>

Ralph was appointed Bishop of Lisieux in July 1181, after his resignation from the office of Chancellor. He was not consecrated until after 1182, as he was still being recorded as bishop-elect then.<ref name=Spear171>Spear Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals, p. 171.</ref>

Ralph died on 10 September 1191,<ref name=Spear171/> as his death was commemorated on 10 September at St Evroul.<ref name=TreasBHOYork/>

References

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