Transcript

of

Archbishop Fitz-Ralph

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VII, (1912-1913), Exeter: James G. Commin. 1913, p. 46.

by

A Devon Layman

Prepared by Michael Steer

Richard FitzRalph (1299–1360) was consecrated at Exeter and regarded during his lifetime as one of the leading thinkers at Oxford. Although his later fame was mainly due to his polemical writings, especially regarding the poverty question, he was acknowledged as a significant interlocutor by thinkers such as Holcot, Wodeham, Wyclif and Gregory of Rimini. He was particularly well-regarded for the careful formulation of his arguments on matters such as infinity, future contingents and the relation of the will to the intellect. His was the first book by an Irishman to be printed (as an incunabulum) and consequently his theory of dominion was still being discussed in the sixteenth century. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

21. ARCHBISHOP FITZ-RALPH (VI., par. 231, p. 255.) - In reply to this query, may I draw attention to the valuable article by the Revd. Arthur P. Lancefield, published in the Western Morning News of Sept. 5th, 1911, and a letter from the same author on Sept. 7th. In this article, which details the Archbishop's consecration in Exeter Cathedral and his general connection with Devonshire, Mr. Lancefield says that the Archbishop "was an Irishman by birth, having been born in Dundalk."             A DEVON LAYMAN.

[Prince, in his Worthies of Devon, p. 364 (ed. 1810), asserts that the Archbishop was a Devonian, the family of Fitz-Ralph having settled in the county at the time of the Norman Conquest. Tempo Edward I it changed its name to Shillingford. Its first habitation was at North Hall, the manor of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, afterwards removed to Shillingford and Exeter. - EDS.]