Walter Suffield (died 19 May 1257) was a medieval Bishop of Norwich.
Life Suffield was a canonist at Paris before his election to the see of Norwich about 9 July 1244. He was consecrated on 26 February 1245.British History Online Bishops of Norwich accessed on 29 October 2007 He was an eloquent preacher, and showed generosity to the poor (during one famine, even selling some of his own goods in order to provide them with food).Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)
In 1249, he founded St. Giles's Hospital in Norwich (which remains in use as the Great Hospital to this day) to provide care for the poor.Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)
He has been reported as visiting his bishop's palace at South Elmham Hall where he enjoyed the hunting.
He died on 19 May 1257,Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 261 leaving bequests to both the poor and the hospital.Lewin, "A medieval occupational pension" (2017)
Citations
References British History Online Bishops of Norwich accessed on 29 October 2007