His father is stated in some sources to have been "Baron Stafford of Clifton", but no such title is listed in the authoritative The Complete Peerage.

[2][3][4][5] Stafford attended Oxford University, graduating BA in 1363; in the same year he was appointed a canon of Lichfield.

Whilst dean of York, he was named keeper of the Privy Seal on 4 May 1389, keeping that role until February 1396.

[6] Later that year, he was appointed Lord Chancellor of England, holding it until 1399 when, on the accession of Henry IV, he was replaced.

[3] Stafford died on 3 September 1419[3][8] and was buried in the Lady Chapel of Exeter Cathedral, where survives his elaborate monument with recumbent alabaster effigy.