William Bateman

William Bateman ( – 6 January 1355) was a medieval Bishop of Norwich. Life Bateman was the son of William Bateman, a Norwich citizen and bailiff who was an M.P. He was born about 1298. He had two elder brothers, both of whom attained eminence. The firstborn, Sir Bartholomew Bateman, of Flixton, Suffolk, was knighted by Edward III for his martial prowess in the French wars. The second became an abbot. William, the third son, received his education in his native city, probably in the school attached to the priory of Norwich. He graduated at Cambridge University in Civil and Canon Law. In his thirtieth year, he was collated by Bishop William de Ayreminne to the archdeaconry of Norwich on 8 December 1328. He was introduced by Ayreminne to the court of Pope John XXII at Avignon. The young civilian's ability soon manifested itself, and the pope endeavoured to bind to himself one who seemed likely to fill an influential place in English politics. By his desire, Bateman took up his residence at the Papal Court at Avignon, where he rose through various lucrative and dignified offices until finally, in that or the succeeding pontificate, he was appointed auditor of the palace. He is said to have fulfilled the duties of this office with such inflexible justice and solidity of judgment that he was regarded both by the pope and his court as ‘the flower of civilians and canonists’. He retained the same high reputation with John's successor, Benedict XII (1334), by whose provision he was made dean of Lincoln, which dignity we find him holding in 1340.