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William was born to an undistinguished family in Hampshire and educated at a school in Winchester. He became secretary to the constable of the castle there and in that capacity learned a lot about building. This led to architectural work for King Edward III, for whom he reconstucted Windsor Castle. William was paid for these services by being given the incomes of various churches, and eventually, in 1362, he was ordained. He had shown considerable talent as an adminstrator and in 1366 he became Bishop of Winchester, and in the following year, Chancellor of England. He had many ups and downs in his long career, but at the time of his death, he was one of the richest men in England. Much of his wealth went into the schools he patronized, but he also contrived to leave a fortune to a nephew, whose descendents are the Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes family.
His motto was 'Manners maketh man'. This, along with a heraldic style crest, were adopted by him and not acquired by descent. His biography was written by Bishop Lowth. He was also written about by Lord Brougham in his 'Old England's Worthies' ( 1857) and by Froissart.
His family name, despite what the spelling seems to indicate, is pronounced "wickum".
| Preceded by: Simon Langham | Lord Chancellor 1367–1371 | Followed by: Sir Robert Thorp |
| Preceded by: Thomas ArundelThomas Arundel ( 1353- 1413) was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards. A younger son of Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel, he held the title of Archbishop of York from 1388 before being | Lord Chancellor 1389–1391 | Followed by: Thomas ArundelThomas Arundel ( 1353- 1413) was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards. A younger son of Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel, he held the title of Archbishop of York from 1388 before being |