2.   William

William ruled 2 1/2 years from (C41) 2nd (H83) April *1231 (C41) *1230 (M) to October 1233(C41);  a canon of the house (PAGE),  when he was elected Father Abbot of the Premonstratensian order (see Premonstratensian  Canons), and chaplain to the Roman Pontiff.  He immediately became the Visitor of the order (prior to this, Visitors had been Cistercian Abbots (C41)), and immediately inspected the Italian circary.  On his return, he decreed that lay-brothers should wear grey copes as opposed to unbleached white ones;  they appealed to the Pope, but lost (H83, C41). His rule at Premontre was very stern and austere and he was forced to resign (C41) in *1238 (C/WC) *1236 (M). He died at Bayham Abbey (Sussex) (H83, C41).
 
1232:  the quarry which the abbot and monks of Dale held by the King’s grant at Biscomb in the Wiltshire forest of Chippenham was impeded in its working by a certain oak, whereupon Peter de Rivell was ordered by the King not to interfere in the felling of the oak by the said abbot and his monks (COX18).
 
‘Vir  totius prudentiae’ (M).