John Colton (bishop)

John Colton (c. 1320 – 1404) was a leading statesman and cleric in fourteenth century Ireland, who held the offices of Treasurer of Ireland, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh. He is chiefly remembered today for his book The Visitation of Derry (1397).
Early career
He was born at Terrington St. Clement in Norfolk. He was in the service of the Bishop of Norwich, William Bateman. He took a degree in divinity at the University of Cambridge in 1348 and the following year became the first Master of the new Gonville Hall, Cambridge, now Gonville and Caius College, whose founder Edmund Gonville was a neighbour of Colton in Terrington. He also held the living of St. Mary's, Wood Street, London.
Irish career
Colton first came to Ireland as Treasurer, in 1373, and became Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral the following year. He was Lord Chancellor from 1379 to 1382, and became Archbishop of Armagh in...