Walter Skirlaw[a] (born Swine parish, Holderness,[1][2] brought up at Skirlaugh; died 1406) was an English bishop and diplomat.

[6]: 95  He was elected Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield on 28 June 1385, and consecrated on 14 January 1386.

[8] Skirlaw was employed on diplomatic missions to Italy in 1381–3,[9] to Calais to negotiate with the French in 1388,[10] and to the Scots.

He built bridges at Shincliffe, Bishop Auckland, and Yarm; a refuge tower, a beautiful chapter-house (now in ruins) at Howden; and was a large contributor to the expense of building the central tower of York Cathedral".

[12] He is portrayed in the east stained-glass window in York Minster,[13] which he had made.