William Melton
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William Melton (died April 5, 1340) was the 43rd Archbishop of York (1317 - 1340). He was also Lord High Treasurer from July 3, 1325, until November 14, 1326. He was the son of Nicholaas of Melton, and the brother of John de Melton.
He kept a detailed log of his activities while he was Archbishop of York, published as The Register of William Melton in five volumes.
According to the Guardian newspaper, "The [York] minister no longer owns sumptuous legacies such as the estates in Hampshire and Devon bought by the 14th century Archbishop William Melton, who was such a successful businessman that he organised loans for his Italian bankers." [1] (http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,639154,00.html)
Battle of Myton, 20th September 1319
Yorkshire battle at which untrained forces led by William Melton, archbishop of York, was crushed by the Scots under Sir James Douglas. The defeat forced Edward II to abandon the siege of Berwick. [2] (http://www.halifax-today.co.uk/specialfeatures/triviatrail/w353_m.html)
While the best of the English army were at Berwick, a Scottish army lead by Sir James Douglas invaded Yorkshire. With an untrained army, the Archbishop of York William Melton tried to fight off the Scots but was defeated at Myton-in-Swalesdale. With the Scots threatening their lands in the north, the earls with Edward at Berwick abandoned the siege and returned home. Queen Isabella, who was in York at the time, managed to escape to safety at Nottingham. http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/y101310.htm
| Preceded by: — | Lord Privy Seal 1307–1312 | Succeeded by: Roger Northburgh |
| Preceded by: William Stapledon | Lord High Treasurer 1325–1326 | Succeeded by: John Stratford |
| Preceded by: Robert Wodehouse | Lord High Treasurer 1330–1331 | Succeeded by: William Airmyn External links
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