Walter Map

Map was a courtier of King Henry II of England, who sent him on missions to Louis VII of France and to Pope Alexander III. Map became the Archdeacon of Oxford in 1196.

Walter Map studied at University of Paris. Training under Gerard la Pucelle is recorded. The recorded working language is medieval Latin and Latin. The field of work recorded is administration and management of the church and medieval Latin literature. Places of work recorded in the authority are England and Wales. Works named in the authority record are De nugis curialium and Dissuasio Valerii.

• Name — Walter Map • Born — c. 1130 • Birthplace — Welsh Marches, Wales • Died — between 1209 and 1210. • Occupation — Clergyman Writer

Map claimed Welsh origins and called himself a man of the Welsh Marches (marchio sum Walensibus). He was probably born in southwestern Herefordshire. Medievalist Joshua Byron Smith suggests that Map may have begun his studies at St Peter's Abbey in Gloucester before continuing at the University of Paris, apparently around 1154, when Gerard la Pucelle was teaching there. After his return from France, Map was employed as a clerk by Gilbert Foliot, the Bishop of Hereford, who was a former Abbot of St Peter's. When Foliot was translated to the Diocese of London in 1163, Map followed him. Map then became one of the clerks of the royal household and by 1173 he was an itinerant justice. As a courtier of King Henry II of England, he was sent on missions to Louis VII of France and to Pope Alexander III, and attended the Third Lateran Council in 1179, encountering a delegation of Waldensians. On this journey he stayed with Henry I of Champagne, who was then about to undertake his last journey to the Levant. Map held a prebend in the Diocese of Lincoln by 1183 and was Chancellor of the Diocese by 1186. He later became Precentor of Lincoln, a canon of St Paul's, London, and of Hereford, and Archdeacon of Oxford in 1196. Map was a candidate to succeed William de Vere as Bishop of Hereford in 1199, but was unsuccessful. He was once again a candidate for a bishopric in 1203, this time as Bishop of St David's, but was not chosen. He was still alive on 28 May 1208 but died sometime between 1209 and 1210. His death is commemorated at Hereford Cathedral on 1 April.

The authorities additionally record the headings Walter Mapes, Walter de Mapes and Gautier Map. His recorded languages were medieval Latin and Latin. His recorded confession was Catholic Church.