William of March | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Bath and Wells | |
| Elected | 30 January 1293 |
| Term ended | 11 June 1302 |
| Predecessor | Robert Burnell |
| Successor | Walter Haselshaw |
| Other post | Canon ofWells |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 17 May 1293 by Richard Gravesend,William of Louth, andThomas of Wouldham,O.S.B. |
| Personal details | |
| Died | (1302-06-11)11 June 1302 |
| Buried | Wells Cathedral |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Treasurer | |
| In office August 1290 – August 1295 | |
| Monarch | Edward I of England |
| Preceded by | John Kirkby |
| Succeeded by | John Droxford |
William of March (orWilliam March;[1] died 1302) was a medievalTreasurer of England and aBishop of Bath and Wells.
William was always referred to asmagister, and may have attended and graduated fromOxford University.[2] He was controller of the wardrobe from 1283 to 1290 andDean ofSt. Martin's-le-Grand before being selected as Treasurer in August 1290. He was Treasurer until he was dismissed in August 1295.[3] While treasurer, he introduced the practice of keepingExchequer Journal rolls, or as accountants know themday books, which recorded the total amount in the treasury at the start of each day along with all payments made that day. This practice began in 1293 and did not record any payments made before taxes arrived at the treasury.[1]
William was acanon of Wells by 20 March 1291 and a royal clerk.[4]
William was electedbishop on 30 January 1293 and consecrated on 17 May 1293.[5] As treasurer he was instrumental in putting forward administrative changes in the way the department was run. For the first time, monies coming into the treasury were recorded on special accounts and the officials of the department became more involved in the collection and assessment of taxes and other varieties of income.[6] However, in August 1295 William was dismissed as treasurer, although the financial policies did not change. It may be that KingEdward I used March as a scapegoat, or it may be that some charges that citizens of London brought against the treasurer were felt to be valid.[7] After his dismissal from the treasurership in 1295, he devoted himself to the care of his diocese, and was regarded as a pious bishop.[8]
William died on 11 June 1302,[5] although current historical research challenges that date.[2] He was buried atWells Cathedral in the south transept wall on 17 June 1302.[4] In 1325 there was a petition for him to be canonized,[4] which continued to be supported by kingsEdward II andEdward III. William is supposed to have built the chapter house atWells. His will named a brother, John March, and a nephew, Robert Urry, to whom William left monies to go on crusade in William's name.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lord High Treasurer 1290–1295 | Succeeded by |
| Catholic Church titles | ||
| Preceded by | Bishop of Bath and Wells 1293–1302 | Succeeded by |
| Henry III (1216–1272) |
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| Edward I (1272–1307) |
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| Edward II (1307–1327) |
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| Edward III (1327–1377) |
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| Richard II (1377–1399) |
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