Roger de Clinton

Roger de Clinton (died 1148) was a medieval Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. He was responsible for organising a new grid street plan for the town of Lichfield in the 12th century which survives to this day.

Life

Clinton was the nephew of Geoffrey de Clinton, an advisor to King Henry I of England.

Clinton had been an archdeacon before his elevation to the episcopate, either of Buckingham (1119–1129) or of Lincoln (c.1129). Geoffrey de Clinton was said to have promised King Henry three thousand marks if the king would appoint Roger a bishop. Roger was nominated in October 1129, and consecrated on 22 December 1129. Roger was part of the deputation to the papal curia in 1139 that defended King Stephen of England against the charge of breaking his oath to the Empress Matilda. Another member of the delegation included Arnulf of Lisieux, who was an archdeacon at the time, but who presented the case. Roger also attended the Second Lateran Council in 1139. The Gesta Stephani claimed that Roger was heavily involved in military affairs during the reign of King Stephen.