The king employed him on several tasks, including as a negotiator, a justice, and as a royal secretary.[1] He was appointed Dean of York by order of King Henry II about July 1186.[2] The archbishopric had been vacant since 1181 and would remain so until 1189, so it was Walter's job as dean to administer the archbishopric of York.[13] Walter was also an unsuccessful candidate to become Archbishop of York in September 1186.[1][lower-alpha 2] The medieval chronicler Gervase of Canterbury said that during Henry II's reign, Walter "ruled England because Glanvill sought his counsel".[14] Documents also show that Walter was active in the administration of the diocese of York.[15]