Guillaume (Abbot) De Marmoutiers

Guillaume (Abbot) De Marmoutiers was born in the latter part of the 11th century, and was a native of Brittany. Before he had taken the cowl he was an archdeacon of Nantes. After the death of Hilgode, the monks of Marmoutiers selected him as their abbot, in 1104. Between these monks and the archbishop of Tours there existed at that time a grave dispute. Raoul, who occupied the metropolitan see, required that newly elected abbots should, in the ceremony of consecration, offer to him the oath of fidelity. The monks refused to render that homage, declaring it to be humiliating. Guillaume having accordingly refused, Raoul brought a complaint before the pope. During the debate, which agitated the whole province of Tours, Guillaume himself went to Rome, and there was consecrated. In 1105 he returned to his abbey. In 1106 he sat at the Council of Poitiers, and vigorously attacked a certain lord Manceau, who had taken possession of the Church of Chahaignes. In 1108 he obtained of Benedict, bishop of Aleth, the Church of St. Malo of Dinan In 1109 he pleaded before the Council of Laon against the monks of Chemille. He was one of the most famous of the abbots of Marmoutiers, and increased its wealth considerably. He died May 23, 1124. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.