William de Longchamp

William de Longchamp was a medieval Lord Chancellor, Chief Justiciar, and Bishop of Ely in England. Born to a humble family in Normandy, he owed his advancement to royal favour. He first served Henry II’s illegitimate son Geoffrey, but quickly transferred to the service of Richard I, Henry’s heir. When Richard became king in 1189, Longchamps paid £3,000 for the...