Walter de Merton | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rochester | |
 Wilhelm Sonmans's fictitious portrait of Walter de Merton, c. 1670 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| Elected | July 1274 |
| Term ended | 27 October 1277 |
| Predecessor | Lawrence of St Martin |
| Successor | John Bradfield |
| Other post(s) | prebendary of St. Paul's, London prebendary of Exeter Cathedral canon of Wells Cathedral |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 21 October 1274 by Robert Kilwardby, O.P. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1205 probably Merton, England |
| Died | 27 October 1277 |
| Buried | Rochester Cathedral |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Lord Chancellor | |
| In office 1261–1263 | |
| Monarch | Henry III of England |
| Preceded by | Nicholas of Ely |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas of Ely office2 = Lord Chancellor |
| In office 1274–1277 | |
| Monarchs | Henry III of England, Edward I of England |
| Preceded by | Lawrence of St Martin |
| Succeeded by | Richard Middleton |
| Bishop of Rochester | |
| In office 1274–1277 | |
| Monarch | Edward I of England |
| Preceded by | Lawrence of St Martin |
| Succeeded by | John Bradfield |
Walter de Merton (c. 1205 – 27 October 1277) was Lord Chancellor of England, Archdeacon of Bath, founder of Merton College, Oxford, and Bishop of Rochester. For the first two years of the reign of Edward I he was – in all but name – Regent of England during the King's absence abroad. He died in 1277 after falling from his horse, and is buried in Rochester Cathedral.