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 office of Chancellor.

About William de Longchamp in brief

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 office of Chancellor. He governed England while Richard was on the Third Crusade, but his authority was challenged by Richard’s brother, John. Richard’s relations with the other leading English nobles were also strained, which contributed to the demands for his exile. He aroused a great deal of hostility among his contemporaries during his career, but he retained Richard’s trust and was employed by the king until the bishop’s death in 1197. He wrote a treatise on the law, which remained well known throughout the later Middle Ages. He was succeeded by his son Robert, who became a monk and abbot. He died in 1190, and was buried in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in London. He is buried alongside his father, Hugh, who was a knight and a knight-for-hire, and his brother Osbert, a layman, who served King Richard I on crusade. He also had a sister, Melisend, who married Stephen Devereux, but whether this is Melisends is unclear. Longchamping’s ancestors originated in the village of LongChamps, Normandy.

Although it is known that he was born in Normandy,. the exact location is unknown, with it perhaps being near the Norman village of Argenton. The family was originally of humble background, but rose through service to King Henry II. He soon left Geoffrey’s service, and served in Henry II’s chancery, or writing office, before he entered service with Henry’s son Richard. On Richard’s accession to the throne of England in 1187, Long champ paid 3,000 pounds for theOffice of Chancellor of England. This increase in the price of having chancry documents sealed by an official sealed the Great Seal, necessary for their authentication. At the same time, Richard named three other bishops: Godfrey de Lucy, Richard FitzNeal, and Hubert Walter de Salisbury. Richard put the Tower of London in his hands and jointly raised him to the bishopric of Ely on January 6, 1190. Before leaving England, Richard put Hugh of London’s hands in the hands of him and jointly appointed him joint chief justiciar of London and Winchester. Richard also named Hubert of Salisbury to London, Richard de Lucy to Winchester, and Richard Fitz Neal to Winchester. By that time, LongChamp was already one of Richard’s trusted advisors. He served as Richard’s envoy in a dispute with William Marshal, King Henry’s envoy. Richard was named chancellor of the Duchy of Aquitaine at the time.

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