William Ayermin facts for kids

William Ayermin (who was also known as Ayermine) was an important church leader in the Middle Ages. He served as the Bishop of Norwich until his death on March 27, 1336.

Who Was William Ayermin?

William Ayermin came from a family in Osgodby, Lincolnshire, England. He was the oldest of three brothers. His brother Richard also held many church jobs. Another brother, Adam, became an archdeacon, which is a senior church official. When William was younger, he likely worked as a clerk for the government's money department, called the exchequer.

William's Early Career in Government

William Ayermin was involved in government from an early age.

• He attended the Parliament in Carlisle in 1306-1307. He represented St. Augustine's Abbey, a religious house in Canterbury.
• In 1316, he wrote down what happened at King Edward II's Parliament in Lincoln.
• In August 1316, he became the Master of the Rolls. This was a key role in the government, in charge of keeping important records.
• For many years, he also sometimes took on the duties of the Keeper of the Great Seal and the Chancellor. These were very powerful positions in the king's government.
• In 1317, he was given a special job for life. He became the guardian of a house for Jewish people who had converted to Christianity. Before him, this job was only held for as long as the king wanted.

Captured in Battle

In 1319, William Ayermin joined a group of church leaders and soldiers. They tried to stop an invasion by the Scots in northern England. This was during the First War of Scottish Independence. Their army, with about 8,000 men, was defeated badly at the Battle of Myton. This battle happened near the River Swale. William was captured during the fight and was held prisoner for several months before he was released.

Moving Up in the Church

Around May 1324, William Ayermin left his job as Master of the Rolls. His brother Richard took over the role. William then became the Keeper of the King's Privy Seal. This meant he was in charge of the king's private seal, used for important documents.

William also gained many important positions in the church. He was always looking for more opportunities.

• He was a rector, which is a priest in charge of a parish, in Wearmouth.
• He was also a canon, a type of priest, in several important cathedrals. These included St. Paul's in London, Lincoln, Hereford, York, Salisbury, and Dublin.

Becoming Bishop of Carlisle (Briefly)

On January 7, 1325, William Ayermin was chosen to be the Bishop of Carlisle. However, he was never officially made bishop. His election was cancelled on February 13, 1325. Another person, John Ross, became the Bishop of Carlisle instead.

Becoming Bishop of Norwich

In July 1325, William Ayermin was in France. He was working to settle a disagreement between the kings of England and France. This dispute was about who owned land in a region called Aquitaine.

While he was in France, he received news that the Bishop of Norwich, named Salmon, had died. William had friends in Rome who helped him. On July 19, 1325, Pope John XXII chose William to be the new Bishop of Norwich. This happened even though King Edward II wanted his own chancellor, Robert Baldock, to have the job. William was officially made Bishop of Norwich on February 6, 1327.

Return to England and Later Roles

William Ayermin returned to England in 1326. At first, King Edward II was not happy with him. William had refused to come back to England earlier to explain his actions. However, he eventually made up with the king. He then served as the acting Keeper of the Great Seal from 1326 to 1327. This role was usually known as the Lord Chancellor of England.

William strongly supported King Edward III when Edward II gave up his throne. He also held the important government job of Lord High Treasurer from 1331 to 1332. This role was in charge of the country's money.

Death and Legacy

William Ayermin passed away on March 27, 1336. He died at his home in Charing, near London. He was buried in Norwich Cathedral. Some historians have described him as being "crafty, greedy, and disloyal."