William of Ely

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William
In office
1196 – Aug 1215
Monarch Richard I
John
Preceded by Richard FitzNeal
Succeeded by Eustace of Fauconberg, Bishop of London
Relations Richard FitzNeal
Religion Christian:Catholic
William
Denomination Catholic
Senior posting
Title Archdeacon of Cleveland
Period in office 1201
Religious career
Previous post Canon of St. Paul's
Prebend of Leighton Buzzard
Personal

William of Ely is an English Catholic clergyman and 5th Lord High Treasurer of England. He is a relative of Richard FitzNeal and suppected descendant of Nigel, Bishop of Ely, both previous Lord High Treasurers. He was appoint the Canon of St. Paul's just before being appointed Lord High Treasurer in 1196. He added the position of Archdeacon of Cleveland in 1201 and Prebend of Leighton Buzzard in 1207.[1]

A story about William of Ely tells about his attempted escape from England during a time when he had fallen from favour with the King; he was disguised as a commoner but was stopped when he proved unable to respond to a simple question posed to him in English (illustrating the dominance of the French language among nobles and clergymen at the time).[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Painter, Sydney (1979). The Reign of King John. Ayer Publishing, 66-67. 
  2. ^ Walter, Henriette. Aventure des langues en Occident : leur origine, leur histoire, leur géographie. Paris: Laffont, 1994.
Political offices
Preceded by
Richard FitzNeal		 Lord High Treasurer
1196–1215		 Succeeded by
Eustace of Fauconberg