William of Wykeham

William of Wykeham (* 1324 in Wickham, Hampshire, † September 27, 1404 in Winchester ) was an English politician and bishop of Winchester.

Life

Wykeham was the son of poor peasants, and was educated in Wincester. In 1347 he became a civil servant under King Edward III. 1350 Officer of the King Wykeham with the conversion and remodeling of Windsor Castle. Wykeham rose to great influence and became in 1363 Lord Privy Seal and Lord Chancellor in 1367 and Bishop of Winchester. Wykeham was rather politicians as a minister and a notorious benefice collector. In 1371 he had to give up the chancellorship, but he won it in 1389 for a further two years back. His greatest achievement was the founding of New College, Oxford ( 1379 ) and Winchester College in Winchester ( 1382 ): both self-governing institutions were exemplary for the English education of the 15th century.