Roger of Salisbury, originally priest of a small chapel near Caen in Normandy, was called "Roger, priest of church of Avranches" in his notification of election to the bishopric.

Although he is uneducated, Roger had shown great talent for business.

On coming to the throne, Henry almost immediately made him Chancellor in 1101.

He, and office he had held until late 1102.

Roger had received the bishopric of Salisbury at Old Sarum Cathedral on September 29, 1102, but had not been consecrated until August 11, 1107, owing to the dispute between Henry and Archbishop Anselm.

He was consecrated at Canterbury.

In the Investitures controversy, he had skillfully managed to keep the favor of both the king and Anselm.

Roger has devoted himself to administrative business, and remodeled it completely.

He has created the exchequer system, which will be managed by him and his family for more than a century, and he has used his position to heap up power and riches.

He has become the first man in England after the King, and is in office, if not in title, justiciar, though he is never called Justiciar during Henry's reign.

Roger has ruled England while Henry was in Normandy, and had succeeded in obtaining the see of Canterbury for his nominee, William de Corbeil.

Duke Robert seems to have been put into his custody after Tinchebry.

Though Roger has sworn allegiance to Matilda, he dislikes the Angevin connection, and in 1135 goes over to Stephen, carrying with him the royal treasure and administrative system upon Stephen's accession.

Stephen places great reliance on him, on his nephews, the bishops of Ely and Lincoln, and on his son Roger le Poer, who is treasurer.

King Stephen had declared that if Roger demanded half of the kingdom he should have it, but has chafed against the overwhelming influence of the official clique that Roger represents.

Roger himself has built at Devizes the most splendid castle in Christendom.

He and his nephews seem to have secured a number of castles outside their own dioceses, and the old bishop behaves as if he were an equal of the King.

Stephen at a council held in June 1139 finds a pretext for demanding a surrender of their castles, and on their refusal they are arrested.

After a short struggle all Roger's great castles are sequestrated, but Henry of Winchester demands the restoration of the bishop.