John of Darlington

John Of Darlington an Irish prelate, was a native of Darlington, Durham, trained a Dominican, and a great clerk, "qui literatura pollebat excellenter et cursilio" (Mat. Paris). Henry III made him his confessor, "which argueth his piety, that so devout a prince used him in so conscientious an office." He afterwards became archbishop of Dublin, being the choice of pope John XXI, in order to settle impartially the rival claims of William de la Corner, king's chaplain, the choice of the prior and convent of Trinity Church, and of Fromund le Brup, the pope's chaplain, the elect of the dean and chapter of St. Patrick's. The pope set both aside. John was also collector of Peter's Pence in Ireland to popes John XXI, Nicholas III, and Martin IV. He wrote many books. Returning to England, he died in 1284, and was buried at Preaching Friars. See Fuller, Worthies of England, 1:486.