William Courtenay

Also known as: William Courtneie / William Courtnie / maister William Courtenie / sir William Courtneie · Family: Church · Role: bishop of London · First appears: Richard II 4

As bishop of London, William Courtenay was appointed around c. 1378, with Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March and Ulster and others, to attend Richard II and govern matters of state; he was soon moved to the archbishopric of Canterbury. Around c. 1382 he opposed John Wycliffe’s doctrine and pursued proceedings against John Aston, but Londoners broke into the court and stopped the case. Around c. 1385, Richard II took great displeasure against him; after William withdrew and kept himself close, friends mediated a reconciliation, while Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk seemed to favour his cause and Thomas Trivet and John Devereux, Lord Devereux were rebuked when they pleaded for him.

In 1392 William confirmed excommunication against Lollards and their supporters in the diocese of Lincoln. At Northampton, he cited Matildis over Lollard errors; she appeared, renounced them, accepted penance, and departed reformed. Around c. 1395 at Leicester, he publicly pronounced excommunication against inhabitants accused of spreading those errors, “with a crosse set vpright, with candels burning bright, and with bels roong alowd.” In 1470, according to another account, William favoured Edward IV, assembled a troop from his friends, and besieged Excester on his behalf.