Quick Facts
Biography
William of Sainte-Mère-Église (or William de St Mariæ Ecclesiâ or William of Saint Mere Eglise) was a medieval Bishop of London.
Life
William's family originated from Cotentin in Normandy, and he held the prebend of 'Ealdstreet' in the diocese of London as well as being dean of St Martin le Grand in London. He also held a prebend in the diocese of York.
In 1193, William, along with the bishop of Salisbury Hubert Walter, found King Richard I of England where he was being held captive at Ochsenfurt in Germany. He was also named the clerk of the exchequer who was responsible for overseeing the Jewish moneylenders, and worked in Walter's new system of supervision to reduce fraud.
William was elected to the see of London on 16 September 1198 and consecrated on 23 May 1199. He resigned the see on 25 January 1221 and retired to the Augustinian priory of St Osyth's. He died on 27 March 1224.