William of Corbeuil

William of Corbeuil archbishop of Canterbury, is generally supposed to have been a Frenchman. His first appearance in history is as one of the clerks of Ralph-Flambard, bishop of Durham. William was selected by the bishop of London to be prior of St. Osyth. He was consecrated archbishop of the see of Canterbury in 1123. In 1128.he officiated at the coronation of king Stephen. His conduct in so doing has been severely censured. One important event connected with' the history of archbishop William was the completion and consecration of the church commenced by Lanfranc and carried on by Anselm. This occurred May 4,1130. "A dedication so famous," says Gervas, "was never heard of on earth, since the dedication of the Temple of Solomon." The archbishop died in 1136. See Hook, Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury, 2, 302 sq.