John of Coutances was a medieval Bishop of Worcester.
John was a nephew of Walter of Coutances, Bishop of Lincoln and was treasurer of the diocese of Lisieux before his uncle appointed him Archdeacon of Oxford sometime before December 1184. He also was dean of Rouen, and retained the treasurership of Lisieux while archdeacon.British History Online Archdeacons of Oxford accessed on 3 November 2007
John was elected in January 1196 and consecrated on 20 October 1196. He died on 24 September 1198Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 279 or on 25 September. His death was commemorated on 24 September.British History Online Bishops of Worcester accessed on 3 November 2007
Peter of Blois was commissioned by a Bishop of Worcester, probably John of Coutances to write a significant anti-Judaic treatise Against the Perfidy of Jews around 1190."A treatise addressed to John Bishop of Worcester, probably John of Coutances who held that See, 1194-8." Medieval Sourcebook: Peter of Blois: Against the Perfidy of the Jews, before 1198
John should not be confused with a different John of Coutances who, in the 11th–12th century, wrote a chronicle of the Church at Coutances, France.
Citations
References British History Online Archdeacons of Oxford accessed on 3 November 2007 British History Online Bishops of Worcester accessed on 3 November 2007