Bishop Ranulf Flambard

Ranulf Flambard was a son of a poor priest in Bayeux. After the conquest of England by William the Conqueror (r. 1066-1087) he attached himself to William’s brother, Odo of Bayeux and made his fortune under William's successor, William Rufus (r. 1087-1100).

In 1083 Ranulf was made keeper of the seal for King William I the Conqueror and during the reign of William II he became royal chaplain, chief adviser, and, for a time, chief justiciar. Ranulf also acted as administrator of the royal finances, and from this position he raised vast sums by increasing taxes and by extorting funds from the barons and the church. Part of his successful filling of the royal and his personal coffers is that he delayed for years making appointments to vacant sees and abbeys in order to obtain their revenues.

In 1099 Ranulf was made bishop of Durham but his fortunes turned with the death of William II. Henry I (r. 1100-1135) imprisoned Ranulf as a scapegoat for the late king’s unpopular policies. Ranulf escaped to Normandy in 1101 but in the same year was restored to royal favor and to his bishopric.

At the time of his death Flambard was worth £5,000 what represented about 2% of national income. In 2010 he would be worth over £22bn.