Hugh de Puisset

Puisset, Hugh de (c.1125-95). Bishop of Durham. Puisset was a great aristocratic churchman who held the wealthy see of Durham for more than 40 years. He was a nephew of King Stephen and received his first preferment (an archdeaconry) from Stephen's brother Henry of Blois, bishop of Winchester. Next, another relative, William Fitzherbert, archbishop of York, gave him the post of treasurer in the diocese. In 1153, probably before he was 30, he was made bishop of Durham. A hint at his essentially secular attitude came at the start of Richard I's reign, when the king was raising funds for the crusade. Hugh purchased the earldom of Northumberland and the justiciarship. He was ousted from the justiciarship by William Longchamp and surrendered the earldom in 1193. He lived in great style, built lavishly, patronized learning, and fought his corner.