Calf (le Veel), Walter (d. 1332), bishop of Kildare, was almost certainly a son of Sir Walter Calf (d. a.1334), baron of Norragh, Co. Kildare, and a brother of William, who predeceased their father. The younger Walter was a great-great uncle of Elizabeth Calf (qv). Not in line to inherit the family estates, which passed to his nephew John, Walter nevertheless held property in the vill of Norragh. He was chancellor of Kildare until elected to the episcopate by the chapter in or before January 1300, after the death of Bishop Nicholas Cusack (qv). Following the confirmation of his election by Edward I, he was consecrated at St Patrick's cathedral, Dublin. During his episcopate a parliament was held at Kildare in 1310. A drawing of the seal of Bishop Walter is preserved in the archives of Christ Church cathedral. Walter died about 29 November 1332, and was succeeded as bishop by Richard Houlot.
Sources
M. Comerford, Collections relating to the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, i ([n.d.] 1883), 16; E. Curtis, ‘The barons of Norragh, Co. Kildare, 1171–1660’, RSAI Jn., lxv (1935), 84–101; F. J. Byrne, ‘Succession lists’, NHI, ix, 314