John Stafford (bishop)

John Stafford (died 25 May 1452) was a medieval English prelate and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor (1432–1450) and as Archbishop of Canterbury (1443–1452).

John Stafford
Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of All England
Henry VI enthroned. The leading figure at far left holding a mace/staff/baton with a purse (containing the Great Seal) attached to his waist appears to be the Lord Chancellor, those items being the symbols of his office. Possibly John Stafford (d.1452), Lord Chancellor (1432-1450) and Archbishop of Canterbury (1443-1452). Detail from "Talbot Shrewsbury Book", 1444-45
Church	Catholic Church
Appointed	13 May 1443
Installed	unknown
Term ended	25 May 1452
Predecessor	Henry Chichele
Successor	John Kemp
Other post(s)	Bishop of Bath and Wells
Orders
Consecration	translated 13 May 1443
Personal details
Died	25 May 1452

Effigy of Emma, mother of Archbishop John Stafford (d. 1452), North Bradley Church, Wiltshire. Inscription in ledger-line: hic jacet d(omin)a Emma mater Venerabilissimi patris et domini D(omi)ni Joh(ann)is Stafford dei gra(tia) Cantuariensis Archiepi(scopi) qu(a)e obiit quinto die mensis Septembris anno d(omi)ni Mille(n)simo ccc.mo quadra(gen)s(i)mo vi.o cui(us) anime p(ro)piciet(ur) de(us) am(en) ("Here lies Lady Emma mother of the most venerable father and lord, Lord John Stafford by the grace of God Archbishop of Canterbury, who died on the 5th day of the month of September in the one thousandth four hundredth and sixth year of our Lord, on whose soul may God look with favour amen"

Early life and education

Stafford was the illegitimate son of Sir Humphrey Stafford of Southwick, a Wiltshire squire, and required papal permission before he became the rector of Farmborough, vicar of Bathampton and prebendary of Wells.^[1]

He was educated at the University of Oxford.^[2]

Career

Stafford was appointed Dean of Arches in 1419 and served as Archdeacon of Salisbury from 1419 to 1421. From 1423 to 1424 he was Dean of Wells.

He came to note under Henry VI, becoming Lord Privy Seal in 1421^[3] and Lord High Treasurer the following year.^[4] He was Lord Chancellor from 1432 to 1450.^[5]

On 18 December 1424 Pope Martin V made him Bishop of Bath and Wells, and he was consecrated on 27 May 1425.^[6] Pope Eugene IV made him Archbishop of Canterbury in May 1443, a position he held until his death on 25 May 1452.^[7] He steered an even course between parties as a moderate man and useful official.

His grand nephew Humphrey Stafford of Hooke rose in prominence in the King's party thereafter.

Further reading

• Rogers, William Henry Hamilton, Strife of the Roses and Days of the Tudors in the West, Exeter, 1890, Chapter 5, "With the Silver Hand", Stafford of Suthwyke, Archbishop and Earl (Detailed discussion of the Bishop's origins).