Walter de Grey

Walter de Gray
Archbishop of York
Tomb of Archbishop de Gray in York Minster
Elected	10 November 1215
Term ended	1 May 1255
Predecessor	Geoffrey Plantagenet
Successor	Sewal de Bovil
Other posts	Bishop of Lichfield Bishop of Worcester
Orders
Consecration	5 October 1214
Personal details
Birth name	Walter de Gray
Born	Eaton, Norwich, Norfolk
Died	1 May 1255 Fulham
Buried	York Minster
Parents	John de Gray

Walter de Gray or Walter de Grey (died 1 May 1255) was an English prelate and statesman who was Archbishop of York from 1215 to 1255. He was Lord Chancellor under King John.

Gray was the son of John de Gray, of Eaton in Norfolk and nephew of John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich. His birth year is not recorded, nor is his age when he died, but according to the historian Lee Wyatt, Gray was likely born around 1180. This assumes that in 1214 he was at least 30, the earliest legal age for consecration as a bishop, which would mean he was not born after 1184. Likewise, it is unlikely he was much older than 80 when he died, which gives an earliest possible birth year of 1175. His sister, Hawise, married the Justiciar of England, Sir Philip Basset. He studied at Oxford University where he was tutored by Edmund of Abingdon.

Gray was a favourite of King John of England, who appointed him Lord Chancellor in 1205, having paid John 5000 marks for the office. He was named Bishop of Lichfield in 1210, but was never consecrated as bishop there. Gray was then elected Bishop of Worcester on 20 January 1214, after resigning as Chancellor in October 1214. His consecration as Bishop of Worcester took place on 5 October 1214. Gray was present at the signing of Magna Carta in June 1215. While he was away from England on a royal mission, he was appointed Archbishop of York, being elected on 10 November 1215 through the influence of John and Innocent III. John had wanted Walter, but the canons of York felt that Walter was ill-educated, and elected Simon Langton, brother of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury. John objected, and wrote to Innocent III complaining of the election of the brother of one of his staunchest enemies, with which Innocent agreed. However, Gray eventually paid more than £10,000 to the Pope in various fees to get his election confirmed. Walter attended the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215.