William of Bitton I

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William of Bitton I
Denomination Catholic
Senior posting
See Diocese of Bath and Wells
Title Bishop of Bath and Wells
Period in office 1248–1264
Predecessor Roger of Salisbury
Successor Walter Giffard
Religious career
Previous post Archdeacon of Wells
Personal
Date of death April 3, 1264
For the bishop of Bath and Wells who died in 1274, see William of Bitton II.

William of Bitton I or William Button was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells.

[edit] Life

He was probably born in Bitton in Gloucestershire.[1] He was a relative of Walter Giffard and uncle of William of Bitton II, his two successors in the office of Bishop of Bath and Wells.[2] He was also uncle of Thomas of Bitton, precentor, archdeacon and dean of Wells,[3] and Bishop of Exeter.[1]

He was an official of Jocelin of Wells in 1231[1] and was subdean of Wells in 1233.[4] He was named Archdeacon of Wells by May 7, 1238 and held the office until he was elected bishop.[5] During the election of his predecessor, he championed the cause of the canons of Wells, who had been excluded from the election of Roger of Salisbury in 1244.[1]

He was elected about February 24, 1248 and consecrated June 14, 1248.[6] In 1251 he signed the proclamation of excommunication against any who did not observe the clauses of Magna Carta dealing with ecclesiastical rights. He served King Henry III of England by going to Spain in 1253 to bring back a prospective daughter-in-law for the king. In 1257, the bishops made specific reference to William's conflict with the Abbot of Glastonbury in their communications with the king. But mainly, he worked in his diocese, as he issued rules and regulations in the diocese dealing with liturgical and judicial matters for both the laity and clergy. However, he lost a long fight with the abbot of Glastonbury Roger Forde over the right of the bishop to visit and regulate the affairs of Glastonbury Abbey, and by the end of his term as bishop, the abbey was independent of the diocese in all but name.[1]

He died on April 3, 1264.[6] He was buried in the Lady Chapel at Wells Cathedral on April 8, 1264.[2] His tomb had disappeared by the 18th century.[1] He should not be confused with his nephew the second William of Bitton who was also Bishop of Bath and Wells, but who died in 1274.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Shaw "Button , William (d. 1264)" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online Edition accessed November 15, 2007
  2. ^ a b British History Online Bishops of Bath accessed on September 23, 2007
  3. ^ British History Online Deans of Wells accessed on September 23, 2007
  4. ^ British History Online Subdeans of Wells accessed on September 23, 2007
  5. ^ British History Online Archdeacons of Wells accessed on September 23, 2007
  6. ^ a b Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 228

[edit] References

Roman Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Roger of Salisbury		 Bishop of Bath and Wells
1248–1264		 Succeeded by
Walter Giffard
Persondata
NAME William of Bitton I
ALTERNATIVE NAMES William of Bitton; Button, William
SHORT DESCRIPTION Bishop of Bath and Wells
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH April 3, 1264
PLACE OF DEATH