Bishop Hatfield's tomb in Durham Cathedral
Shelfmark: Additional MS 15538
Thomas Hatfield was one of the longest serving prince bishops, holding office from 1345 until 1381. He proved to be an outstanding bishop, instigating major programmes of building, maintenance and improvement. According to a contemporary Durham monk, William of Chambre, Hatfield was also "jealous to excess of any infringement on the privileges of the Church".
Grimm sketched Hatfield’s tomb around 1778. Given his reputation for pride and haughtiness, it is perhaps not surprising that Hatfield’s tomb is surmounted by his throne, which is famously the highest in Christendom – higher even than the Pope’s in Rome.