Relations with the Welsh John Peckham

notwithstanding other actions, peckham s relations king good, , edward sent him on diplomatic mission llywelyn ap gruffudd in wales. in 1282 attempted mediate between welsh , king edward, given edward not budge on main issues, hopeless mission. in end, peckham excommunicated of welsh resisting edward, not unsurprising given peckham s views of welsh. peckham visited welsh dioceses part of tour of subordinate dioceses. while there, peckham criticised welsh clergy unchaste lives, conspicuous consumption, , heavy drinking. found welsh clergy uneducated, although did order welsh-speaking suffragan bishop appointed pastoral duties in diocese of coventry , lichfield. peckham criticised welsh people whole, contrasting pastoral economy farming-based economy of england, , finding welsh lazy , idle.

as part of diplomatic duties, peckham wrote llywelyn, , in letters archbishop continued criticisms of welsh people, time condemning laws contrary both old , new testament. peckham particularly offended welsh laws sought parties homicides or other crimes settle differences rather process of english law condemned criminal.

peckham had problems subordinate thomas bek, bishop of st david s in wales. bek tried revive scheme make st david s independent canterbury, , elevate metropolitan status. had been put forth gerald of wales around 1200, had been defeated actions of hubert walter, archbishop of canterbury. bek did not manage four-year fight gerald had managed, peckham routed him quickly.