ruled 21 years 41 weeks from *10th August 1331 (PAGE) *14th August 1332 (M) *1338 (D1990) to *March 1353-4 (H83, M) *1352 (WARD,  PAGE) *1354 (C41).
 
A record of his election dated 19 Sep 1332 has survived (H83).  It was supervised by the Abbots of Langdon (Kent) and Halesowen (West Midlands) and recorded by deputies of the abbot of Newhouse, and is summarised in C41 and PAGE (see entry above under John Woodhouse).  C41 says 5 canons were deputed to choose the new abbot:  Walter de Thikhill prior, Thomas de Tikhil subprior, Robert de Barton, Simon de Bredon and William de Horsley.

He had a reputation as a builder (D1990, FOX).
 
During his rule a stone chamber was built at Stanley Grange, and the Decorated work in St Werburgh's chapel (H83, WARD) (see St Werburgh's Chapel) and the strengthening of the pillars of the crossing by partial re-casing were probably done (C41).
 
Dec 1335 petitioned archbishop to grant benediction to William Aslakton, newly-elected abbot of Welbeck, along with the abbots of Newhouse and Croxton (C41E).
 
1336 he was appointed Visitor of the Midland circary (C41E).
 
2 Feb 1337 quitclaim by Alexander de Vilers to William of lands in Bargate, Nottingham.
 
He was involved in a dispute over the abbacy of Croxton (Leics) (comprehensive details in C41E:  it involved 3 claimants to be abbot, much talk of legal proceedings and meetings of abbots and constant exchanges of letters and messengers.  One contestant was William de Sleford.  Eventually he was supposed to go to General Chapter, being afraid of the sea;  war was threatened, so he went back to Dale) and several times Visitor of the Premonstratensian Order in England, e.g. 1336 but never exercised his patronage (C41E).

1338 licensed to appropriate Greasley church at 100s rent (C41).  The abbot had to find chaplains to say daily masses for the soul of Nicholas de Cantilupe at Ilkeston.  The North aisle at St Mary's was this chantry.)
 
March 1342/3 had a papal mandate to effect reconciliation of an apostate Cistercian monk (C41E).