Thomas Hatfield
Bishop of Durham from 1345 to 1381
About Thomas Hatfield
Lived 1310 – 1381 (aged 70–71). Thomas Hatfield was an English catholic priest, catholic bishop and bishop.
Thomas Hatfield or Thomas de Hatfield (died 1381) was Bishop of Durham from 1345 to 1381 under King Edward III. He was one of the last warrior-bishops in England.
He was born around 1310, presumably in one of the several British towns named Hatfield. He entered the employment of the king (Edward III) on 26 October 1337.
Hatfield was Receiver of the Chamber when he was selected to be Lord Privy Seal in late 1344. He relinquished that office to his successor in July 1345.
Hatfield was elected on 8 May 1345 in succession to Richard de Bury,
In 1380, he drew up a covenant to leave £3000 to endow Durham College, Oxford, which was the primary endowment of the college and enabled the construction of its quadrangle, chapel and surviving library, now part of the Durham Quadrangle of Trinity College, Oxford.
He died on 8 May 1381.
He is buried near the choir stalls in Durham Cathedral beneath the Bishop's Chair.
Due to his endowment of Durham College, Hatfield's arms appear in the canton of the arms of the University of Durham. Hatfield College, a constituent college of the university, is named after him.
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Important facts
People in Thomas Hatfield's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Thomas Hatfield's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Thomas Hatfield?
Bishop of Durham from 1345 to 1381
When was Thomas Hatfield born?
Thomas Hatfield was born in 1310.
When did Thomas Hatfield die?
Thomas Hatfield died on 8 May 1381 in Durham.
What was Thomas Hatfield's occupation?
Thomas Hatfield was a catholic priest, catholic bishop and bishop.
What nationality was Thomas Hatfield?
Thomas Hatfield was English.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thomas Hatfield. https://biography.guide/thomas-hatfield/
MLA: "Thomas Hatfield." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thomas-hatfield/.
Chicago: "Thomas Hatfield." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thomas-hatfield/.
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