Page "John Peckham" Paragraph 1

In around 1270, Peckham returned to England, where he taught at the University of Oxford, and was elected the Franciscan provincial minster of England in 1275.

After a brief stint in Rome, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1279.

His time as archbishop was marked by efforts to improve discipline in the clergy as well as reorganize the estates of his see.

Pluralism, or holding more than one clerical benefice, was one of the abuses that Peckham combatted.

He served King Edward I of England in Wales, where he formed a low opinion of the Welsh people and laws.

Before and during his time as archbishop, he wrote a number of works on optics, philosophy, and theology, as well as writing hymns.

Numerous manuscripts of his works survive.

On his death, his body was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, but his heart was given to the Franciscans for burial.