The bellıcose bıshop of the battle of Nevılle’s cross, 1346

Abstract

This article attempts to identify the anonymous Franciscan bishop who, according to the Lanercost Chronicle, participated at the Battle of Neville's Cross, Durham, against the invading Scots, on 17 October 1346. The Franciscan 'Matthew episcopus Manchensis', previously suggested to be the bishop in question, is shown to derive from a scribal error, but even the corrected Matthew bishop Organchensis was probably not the prelate in question. Rather, it is argued, another Durham suffragan, frater Richard bishop of Bisaccia, may have been in the man at Neville's Cross.