William of St Carilef

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William of St Carilef (d. 1096). Bishop of Durham. A secular priest at Bayeux, he took monastic vows at St Carilef (Maine), became prior there, and then abbot of St Vincent. In 1080 William I chose him as bishop of Durham where, following the English pattern, he replaced the cathedral's secular canons with monks from Monkwearmouth and Jarrow (1083). William II made him justiciar, but after implication in the 1088 rebellion, he was arrested and tried. He surrendered his castle to the king before going into exile in Normandy. Restored in 1091, he surprisingly supported the king against Anselm at the Council of Rockingham (1095). After another northern rebellion, he was summoned to Windsor, where he died. A great builder, on his return from exile (1091) he brought plans for the magnificent new cathedral, started in 1093.

Revd Dr William M. Marshall

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William of St Carilef

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