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Famous English Canon Lawyers I

William Bateman LL.D (†1355) Bishop of Norwich

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

J. H. Baker
J. H. Baker
Affiliation:
Fellow of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge
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Given the prominence accorded to doctrinal authority in the earlier canon law, it is natural that most famous canonists achieved their fame through their writings. Although the leading writers were often also judges and men of affairs, it was possible to lead an active life in the practice of the canon law without leaving any identifiable mark on history. To this general principle Bishop Bateman constitutes a remarkable exception: distinguished judge, leading figure in the Curia at Avignon, and patron of legal studies in Cambridge, he left several marks on history which entitle him, though not known as a writer, to be classed with the greatest English canon lawyers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ecclesiastical Law Journal , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , July 1988 , pp. 3 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © Ecclesiastical Law Society 1988

References

1 The biographical details are conveniently summarised in Emden, A. B.. Biographical Register oF the University of Cambridge to 1500 (1963). p 44Google Scholar A more minute account may be found in Thompson, A. Hamilton. ‘William Bateman. Bishop of Norwich 1344–1355’ (1935), 25Google Scholar Norfolk Archaeology 102–137.

2 For the Rota, see Baker, J. H.. ‘Dr Thomas Fastolf and the History of Law, Reporting’ (1986), 45 Cambridge Law Jo. 84–96, at pp. 84–85CrossRefGoogle Scholar

3 The phrase is used in the contemporary Vita Gulielmi Bateman by Prior Laurence of Norwich, which admittedly savours more of eulogy than biography: printed in Peck, F.. Desiderata Curiosa (1779). II. p. 240.Google Scholar

4 See Ullmann, W.. ‘A Decision of the Rota Romana on the Benefit of Clergy in England’ (1967) 13 Studia Gratiana 457–489.Google Scholar

5 There is no trace of any memorial.

6 For details see Baker, . ‘Dr Fastolf’. pp. 88–89. 95–96Google Scholar; Ullman, . ‘A Decision of the Rota Romana’. at pp 466 et seq,Google Scholar

7 For what follows, see Baker. ‘Dr Kastolf’.

8 The impressive hall which still stands was rebuilt under Pope Clement VI (1342–52). and the court moved there in 1352: Baker, . ‘Dr Fastolf’. p. 85Google Scholar. Fastolf's reference shows that the same arrangement obtained in the earlier hall, the foundations of which have been revealed by excavation. In neither hall is there any remaining trace of the circular seating.

9 MS. O. IV 15: see Dolezalek, G.. ‘Ouaestiones motae in Rota’ in Proceeding of the 5th International Congress of Medieval Canon Law (Vatican City. 1980), 99, at pp. 104–105Google Scholar; Baker, . ‘Dr Fastolf’ p. 93.Google Scholar

10 New College MS. 207 (a copy of the Sext); see Boyle, L.E.. The “Sumrna Summarum” and some other English works of Canon law in Proceeding of the 2nd International Congress of Medieval Canon Law (Vatican City. 1965), 415, at p. 416.Google Scholar

11 For details, see Thompson, . ‘William Bateman’. at pp. 118–121Google Scholar. The abbey won.

12 Cambridge Anliq. Soc. Communications, II (see note 15. below ). at p 76.

13 What follows is largely based on Crawley, C.. Trinity Hall. The History or a Cambridge College 1350–1975 (Cambridge, 1976) pp. 1–16.Google Scholar

14 Printed in Documents relating to the University and Colleges of Cambridge (1852), II. pp. 414–436.

15 Corrie, G. E.. ‘A Catalogue of the Books given to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, by the Founder’ (1864). Cambridge Antiq. Soc. Communications. II. 73–78Google Scholar. The books may not have arrived: none are there now.

16 They appear in the printed decisiones rotae: Baker, . ‘Dr Fastolf’. p. 89Google Scholar. He is not to be confused with Robert of Stretton (†1385), the illiterate bishop of Lichfield.

17 What follows draws heavily on Brooke, C.. A History, of Gonville and Caius College (Woodbridge, 1985), pp. 1–19.Google Scholar

18 This released land near St Bent's Church for the newly founded Corpus Christi College.

19 Bateman regarded Trinity Hall as the elder sister: but the University, following the date of the charter, now regards Gonville and Caius College as the senior.

20 The evidence will be discussed in Reading and Moots in the Inns of Court, vol. II (Mods), soon to he published by the Selden Society.