William of March facts for kids

William of March (also known as William March) was an important person in medieval England. He served as the Lord High Treasurer, which meant he was in charge of the country's money. He was also a Bishop of Bath and Wells, a leader in the church. He passed away in 1302.

Early Life and Education

William of March was often called magister, a Latin word meaning "master." This suggests he was a highly educated person, and he might have studied at Oxford University.

Working for the King

William was a trusted helper for King Edward I. From 1283 to 1290, he was the controller of the king's "wardrobe." This was not just about clothes; it was like being in charge of the king's personal finances and household expenses. After this, he became the Dean of St. Martin's-le-Grand, an important church position.

Becoming Treasurer

In August 1290, William of March was chosen to be the Lord High Treasurer of England. This was a very powerful job, as he managed all the money coming into and going out of the king's treasury. He held this position until August 1295.

Improving Money Management

As Treasurer, William made important changes to how the government handled its money. He started keeping "Exchequer Journal rolls," which were like daily record books. These books showed how much money the treasury had at the start of each day and all the payments made that day. This helped keep track of the country's finances much better.

Serving the Church

While working for the king, William was also involved with the church. By 1291, he was a "canon" at Wells Cathedral. A canon is a type of priest who is part of a cathedral's governing body.

In January 1293, William was chosen to be the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He officially became bishop in May 1293. This meant he was a key religious leader in that area.

Dismissal as Treasurer

In August 1295, William was removed from his job as Treasurer. Historians are not entirely sure why this happened. It might have been because King Edward I wanted someone to blame for financial problems, or there might have been complaints against William from people in London. Even though he was dismissed, the way the treasury managed money did not change much after he left.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving his role as Treasurer, William focused on his duties as Bishop. People thought he was a very religious and good bishop.

William of March passed away on 11 June 1302, though some historians are looking into that exact date. He was buried at Wells Cathedral a few days later. Years after his death, in 1325, people began asking for him to be made a saint. Even kings Edward II and Edward III supported this idea.

It is believed that William of March helped build the beautiful chapter house at Wells Cathedral. In his will, he left money to his brother, John March, and his nephew, Robert Urry, so they could go on a crusade in his name.