Ralph de Warneville (died 1191; sometimes Ralph de VarnevilleTurner and Heiser ''Reign of Richard Lionheart'' pp. 178-179 or Ralf of WannevillePowicke ''Loss of Normandy'' p. 70) was the twentieth Lord Chancellor of England as well as later

Bishop of Lisieux A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

in Normandy. Ralph was probably from Varneville aux Grès in Normandy, from which he derived his name.Greenway
Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Treasurers of York
' Ralph became Treasurer of Rouen sometime between 11 July 1146, the last appearance of his predecessor in office, and 27 September 1146 when Ralph is named as treasurer for the first time. He held the office of treasurer until 1176.Spear ''Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals'' p. 219 He acquired the office of Archdeacon of Rouen in 1170, holding the office along with the treasurership of Rouen for a few years.Spear ''Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals'' p. 214 After he left the treasurership, Ralph was accused by the

cathedral chapter According to both Catholic and Anglican canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics ( chapter) formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese during the vacancy. In ...

of Rouen of misusing some of the funds of the cathedral, and the dispute dragged on until 1188, when it was heard by a papal commission. Ralph also held offices in England. He was

Treasurer of York A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The significant core functions of a corporate treasurer include cash and liquidity management, risk management, and corporate finance. Government The treasury o ...

from 1167 until 1181, and was

Archdeacon of the East Riding The Archdeacon of the East Riding is a senior ecclesiastical officer of an archdeaconry, or subdivision, of the Church of England Diocese of York in the Province of York. It is named for the East Riding of Yorkshire and consists of the eight rural ...

at about the same time.Greenway
Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 6: York: Archdeacons: East Riding
' Ralph served King Henry II of England as Lord Chancellor from 1173 to 1181.Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 84 Ralph was a friend of

Arnulf of Lisieux Arnulf of Lisieux (1104/1109 – 31 August 1184) was a medieval French bishop who figured prominently as a conservative figure during the Renaissance of the 12th century, built the Cathedral of Lisieux, which introduced Gothic architecture to Nor ...

, Bishop of Lisieux, and benefited from Arnulf's intercession with the

Bishop of Poitiers The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Poitiers ( Latin: ''Archidioecesis Pictaviensis''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Poitiers'') is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in France. The archepiscopal see is in the city of Poitiers ...

. But during Ralph's chancellorship, Ralph was one of the royal officials that urged Arnulf to resign his bishopric. Arnulf was suspected by King Henry of supporting Henry's sons in their

Revolt of 1173–74 Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

, and eventually Arnulf was forced to resign his see.Warren ''Henry II'' p. 211 Ralph also had custody of the castle and royal lands at Vaudreuil in Normandy in the 1180s, and was still owing accounts for his administration at his death. Ralph was appointed Bishop of Lisieux in July 1181, after his resignation from the office of Chancellor. He was not consecrated until after 1182, as he was still being recorded as bishop-elect then.Spear ''Personnel of the Norman Cathedrals'' p. 171 Ralph died on 10 September 1191, as his death was commemorated on 10 September at St Evroul.

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* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Warneville, Ralph de Lord chancellors of England 1191 deaths Bishops of Lisieux Year of birth unknown 12th-century English people Archdeacons of the East Riding