John Stafford (bishop)

John Stafford
Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of All England
Appointed	13 May 1443
Installed	unknown
Term ended	25 May 1452
Predecessor	Henry Chichele
Successor	John Kemp
Other posts	Bishop of Bath and Wells
Orders
Consecration	translated 13 May 1443
Personal details
Died	25 May 1452
Denomination	Roman Catholic

John Stafford (died 25 May 1452) was an English statesman and Archbishop of Canterbury.

Stafford was the illegitimate son of a Wiltshire squire, and required papal permission before he became the rector of Farmborough, vicar of Bathampton and prebendary of Wells.

Stafford was educated at the University of Oxford.

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.

Stafford came to note under Henry VI, becoming Lord Privy Seal in 1421 and Lord High Treasurer the following year. He was Lord Chancellor from 1432 to 1450.

On 18 December 1424 Pope Martin V made him Bishop of Bath and Wells, and he was consecrated on 27 May 1425.Pope Eugene IV made him Archbishop of Canterbury in May 1443, a position he held until his death on 25 May 1452. 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.

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