Robert Baldock

Robert Baldock (or de Baldock; died 28 May 1327) was the Lord Privy Seal and Lord Chancellor of England, during the reign of King Edward II of England.

For other people named Robert Baldock, see Robert Baldock (disambiguation).

Robert Baldock D.C.L.
Lord Chancellor of England
In office 1323–1326
Monarch	Edward II
Preceded by	John Salmon
Succeeded by	John Hotham
Lord Privy Seal of England
In office 1320–1323
Monarch	Edward II
Preceded by	Thomas Charlton
Succeeded by	Robert Wodehouse
Archdeacon of Middlesex
In office 1315–1326
Monarch	Edward II
Preceded by	Richard Newport
Succeeded by	Roger de Hales
Personal details
Died	28 May 1327 Newgate Prison

Career

Baldock was archdeacon of Middlesex when he was named Controller of the Wardrobe and Lord Privy Seal on 27 January 1320[1] and then Prebend of Aylesbury in August 1320.[2] He remained Lord Privy Seal until 8 July 1323,[1] before being named Lord Chancellor of England on 20 August 1323.[3]

Baldock was elected Bishop of Norwich on 23 July 1325,[4] but before consecration resigned the office on 3 September 1325 to avoid a collision between the pope and the King.[5]

In October 1326, Baldock was one of the small number of supporters who fled London with King Edward when Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer invaded. He remained with the King and the Despensers, the King's particular favorites, in their flight across England to the Despensers' lands in Wales, and was one of the last handful who attempted to cross to Ireland and failed.[6] He and the King remained fugitives until their hiding place was revealed. Baldock lost his offices and was imprisoned in November 1326.

Death

Unlike the Despensers, who suffered quick trials and executions, Baldock was a clergyman, and so in February 1327 was sent to London for trial by fellow clergy.[5] He was placed under house arrest at Hereford Palace (the Bishop of Hereford's London residence).[7] A mob broke into the house, severely beat him, and threw him into Newgate Prison, where he was murdered by some of the inmates.[8]

Citations

1. Fryde et al. 1986, p. 93.
2. King 1962, pp. 24–27.
3. Fryde et al. 1986, p. 86.
4. Fryde et al. 1986, p. 261.
5. Foss 1870, p. 51.
6. Mortimer 2010, p. 157.
7. Campbell 1848, p. 206.
8. Mortimer 2010, p. 162.

References

• Campbell, John (1848). The Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England. Volume 1. London: John Murray.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Foss, Edward (1870). Biographia Juridica: A Biographical Dictionary of the Judges of England. London: John Murray.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I., eds. (1986). Handbook of British Chronology (3rd, reprinted 2003 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-56350-X.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• King, H. P. F. (1962). "Prebendaries: Aylesbury". Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1300–1541. Volume 1: Lincoln Diocese. Institute of Historical Research. pp. 24–27.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Mortimer, Ian (2010). The Greatest Traitor. London: Vintage Books. ISBN 9780099552222.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

Political offices
Preceded by Thomas Charlton	Lord Privy Seal of England 1320–1323	Succeeded by Robert Wodehouse
Preceded by John Salmon	Lord Chancellor of England 1323–1326	Succeeded by John Hotham
Religious titles
Preceded by Richard Newport	Archdeacon of Middlesex 1315–1326	Succeeded by Roger de Hales
Preceded by John Salmon as Bishop of Norwich	Bishop-elect of Norwich 1325	Succeeded by William Ayermin as Bishop of Norwich