William Bodrugan (priest)

William de Bodrugan (c. 1250-1307), sometimes referred to as a knight, was a Cornish priest and landowner, who became firstly Provost of Glasney College, and secondly Archdeacon of Cornwall.

Family

William was the second son of Philip de Bodrugan and his wife Rosea, or Roslyn, perhaps the daughter of Luke de Hendresuk of Talland. His elder brother, Roger, died in 1277, leaving his son, Henry Bodrugan, heir to the family's estates, under aged. William purchased Henry's wardship from Sir William de Alneto on 19 May 1277, thereby recovering control of the family's property.

William is known to have fathered one illegitimate child, Elizabeth, and possibly two more, Felicia and Philip.

Elizabeth, married to Adam de Markwell.
Felicia, married Andrew de Trevelyan in 1309.
Philip, son of William de Bodrugan (mentioned in 1311).

Career

In 1274 William became rector of the family benefice of St Martin by Looe. As guardian for his nephew, William had control over the family benefices, so he was able in 1277 to appoint the new rector of Poundstock. In July 1278 he succeeded to the canonry of Master William de Sancto Justo at Glasney College. On 6 November 1282 he was collated to the rectory of Ruan Lanihorne. On 22 March 1283 William gave up St Martin by Looe, appointing a new rector in his place, but in August 1285 he returned as coadjutor to Sir Walter de Tremur who had fallen ill. William became the first official Provost of Glasney on 17 April 1283. On 28 February 1288 he relinquished the provostship. He was Archdeacon of Cornwall from 1295 to 1307.

Landowner

During William's life, particularly in his later years, he engaged himself in expanding his landed estate, eventually acquiring the manors of Tremodret (Roche), Trethew (Liskeard), and Markwell (St Erney). These lands would eventually pass to his nephew, Henry, apart from Markwell which was given by William to Adam de Markwell for his lifetime as part of Elizabeth's dowry. On Adam's death the manor passed back to Henry's son, Otto.

References

Whetter, James, The Bodrugans: a study of a Cornish Medieval knightly family, Lyfrow Trelyspen, 1995
Whetter, James, The History of Glasney College, 1988

v t e Archdeacons of Cornwall
High Medieval	Roland Alnothus Ernaldus Hugo de Auco William A. Walter Ralph Luce Peter Galterus Walter Fitz Rogo Simon Martin Thomas John Rof Jordan Geofrey de Bismano Robert de Tefford John de Esse Henry de Bolleghe
Late Medieval	William Bodrugan Adam de Carleton Walter Nicholas de Scotton Annibale Cardinal di Ceccano Adam de Carleton (again) John de St Paul Papal grants: John Harewell Thomas David Alexander Neville Royal grants: William Cusance Nicholas de Newton Thomas de Orgrave Robert Braybrooke Nicholas Braybrooke Richard Lentwardyn Edward Dantsey John Bremore Richard Penels William Fylham Walter Trengof Richard Helyer Henry Trevilian John Selot Thomas Marke William Sylke
Early modern	Thomas Harrys Bernard Oldham John Fulford Hugh Ashton Richard Sampson Rowland Lee Thomas Bedyll Thomas Wynter John Pollard Hugh Weston John Rixman George Harvey Roger Alley Thomas Somaster Nicholas Marston William Hutchinson Jasper Swift William Parker Martin Mansogg/Nansogg William Parker (again) Robert Peterson Robert Hall George Hall Edward Cotton Edward Drew Lancelot Blackburne ? Charles Fleetwood George Allanson John Sleech George Moore
Late modern	William Short John Bull John Sheepshanks William Phillpotts John Cornish Stamford Raffles-Flint Guy Hockley John Holden Frederick Boreham Peter Young Arnold Wood Raymond Ravenscroft Trevor McCabe Rodney Whiteman Roger Bush Bill Stuart-White Audrey Elkington, Archdeacon of Bodmin (Acting) Paul Bryer Clive Hogger