William Reade
Encyclopedia
William Reade was a medieval Bishop of Chichester.
Reade was brought up, from boyhood to maturity, by his friend and protege Nicholas of Sandwich. He was then educated at Exeter College, Oxford
and elected from it to a fellowship at Merton College, Oxford
where astronomy, mathematics and natural philosophy (science) flourished. He collected what was probably the largest private library in 14th-century England, and was one of the University’s greatest benefactors. Reade wished to provide resources for Oxford scholars as there was no University library at the time, Reade donated and bequeathed some 350 volumes to the libraries at Merton, Exeter, Balliol
, Oriel, Queen’s, and New
Colleges, Oxford. Reade also provided a large sum of money to support the building of the library that is still in use today.
In 1365 Reade was made provost of the college of Wingham, Kent
, and archdeacon of Rochester in 1369. He was nominated for Bishop of Chichester on 23 September 1368, and by provision of Pope Urban V was appointed to the see of Chichester on 2 September 1369.
Reade's contribution to Chichester Cathedral
was the systematic compilation of cartularies, gathering together all the charters and writings concerning the church. His cartularies have preserved virtually the only early documentary evidence about the Cathedral.
Reade converted the old Manor House at Amberley, into a castle
. Stephens says he did this to provide a strong fortress for himself and his successors against troublous times.
Reade held a deer park, in Selsey, that was plagued with poachers so much so, that the incensed bishop issued a decree excommunicating the offenders by "Bell, book, and candle
", and he ordered that the ritual should be performed at all churches within the deanery.
Reade died 18 August 1385, and asked in his will
to be buried at Selsey parish church then located at Church Norton
, once the cathedral church of my diocese, before the high altar. His wish was not acted upon as he was buried in the cathedral without monument. It seems that this was not the only problem with the execution of his will as the dean and chapter, of Chichester Cathedral, petitioned the executors, thirteen years later, to account for the thirteen gilt cups, bequeathed by Reade, for the use of the cathedral.
Reade was brought up, from boyhood to maturity, by his friend and protege Nicholas of Sandwich. He was then educated at Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
and elected from it to a fellowship at Merton College, Oxford
Merton College, Oxford
Merton College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor to Henry III and later to Edward I, first drew up statutes for an independent academic community and established endowments to...
where astronomy, mathematics and natural philosophy (science) flourished. He collected what was probably the largest private library in 14th-century England, and was one of the University’s greatest benefactors. Reade wished to provide resources for Oxford scholars as there was no University library at the time, Reade donated and bequeathed some 350 volumes to the libraries at Merton, Exeter, Balliol
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, Oriel, Queen’s, and New
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
Colleges, Oxford. Reade also provided a large sum of money to support the building of the library that is still in use today.
In 1365 Reade was made provost of the college of Wingham, Kent
Wingham, Kent
Wingham is a civil parish and English Kent village situated along the ancient coastal road, now the A257, from Richborough to London and close to Canterbury. It has existed since the Stone Age but only became established as a village in Roman times. The Domesday book tells us that during Saxon...
, and archdeacon of Rochester in 1369. He was nominated for Bishop of Chichester on 23 September 1368, and by provision of Pope Urban V was appointed to the see of Chichester on 2 September 1369.
Reade's contribution to Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
was the systematic compilation of cartularies, gathering together all the charters and writings concerning the church. His cartularies have preserved virtually the only early documentary evidence about the Cathedral.
Reade converted the old Manor House at Amberley, into a castle
Amberley Castle
Amberley Castle is in the village of Amberley, West Sussex . It is a Grade I listed building.It was erected as a 12th century manor house and fortified in 1377...
. Stephens says he did this to provide a strong fortress for himself and his successors against troublous times.
Reade held a deer park, in Selsey, that was plagued with poachers so much so, that the incensed bishop issued a decree excommunicating the offenders by "Bell, book, and candle
Bell, book, and candle
The phrase "bell, book, and candle" refers to a method of excommunication for one who had committed a particularly grievous sin. Apparently introduced around the late 9th century, the practice was once used by the Catholic Church; in modern times, a simple pronouncement is made...
", and he ordered that the ritual should be performed at all churches within the deanery.
Reade died 18 August 1385, and asked in his will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
to be buried at Selsey parish church then located at Church Norton
St Wilfrid's Chapel, Church Norton
St Wilfrid's Chapel, also known as St Wilfrid's Church and originally as St Peter's Church, is a former Anglican church at Church Norton, a rural location near the village of Selsey in West Sussex, England...
, once the cathedral church of my diocese, before the high altar. His wish was not acted upon as he was buried in the cathedral without monument. It seems that this was not the only problem with the execution of his will as the dean and chapter, of Chichester Cathedral, petitioned the executors, thirteen years later, to account for the thirteen gilt cups, bequeathed by Reade, for the use of the cathedral.