William FitzJohn

William Fitzjohn (died 15 September 1326) was a leading prelate in early fourteenth century Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Cashel, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

Early Career

He is said to have been born in England, but little is known of his life before 1300. He first appeared in Ireland as a Canon of St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny. In 1302 the see of Ossory became vacant and Fitzjohn, who was much loved by the other clergy of the diocese, was their unanimous choice as Bishop of Ossory.^[1]

Archbishop of Cashel

In 1317 the Archbishopric of Cashel became vacant, causing a fierce contest between three rival candidates. Pope John XXII refused to install any of them and chose Fitzjohn instead; although King Edward II had his own candidate he happily accepted the choice of Fitzjohn, whom he knew and respected.^[2] The Archbishop served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland between 1318 and 1320, and briefly as Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1318.^[3]

View of modern Cashel from the Rock of Cashel

As Archbishop he is mainly remembered for overseeing the building of the walls of Cashel town.^[4] The archdiocese suffered greatly during the invasion of Edward Bruce and Fitzjohn found himself in severe financial difficulty as a result. In 1320 the King wrote to the Pope asking for the Archbishop to be released from paying certain debts, on account of the invasion : "he has not received the least profits out of his See, but was obliged to run in debt with his neighbours and friends even for necessaries." To assist Fitzjohn financially, the King appointed him Keeper of the Rolls,^[5] with an income of £500 a year.

Character

Fitzjohn died on 15 September 1326. O'Flanagan^[6] describes him as a man of great influence and power who was revered by the clergy and laity of his diocese; he was also reputed to have accumulated great wealth, but this seems unlikely in view of the pleas of poverty made to the Pope on his behalf.

References