High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Walter Skirlaw (also Walter de Skirlaw, Walter Skirclaw, Walter Skirlaugh, Walter Shirlagh, or Walter Skarlawe) (born Swine parish, Holderness, brought up at Skirlaugh; died 1406) was an English bishop and diplomat. He was Bishop of Durham from 1388 to 1406. He was an important adviser to Richard II of England and Henry IV of England.