William of Waynflete

British lord chancellor
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Also known as: William Patyn, William of Wainfleet
Quick Facts
Also spelled:
Wainfleet
Original name:
William Patyn
Born:
1395?, Wainfleet-All-Saints, Lincolnshire, Eng.
Died:
Aug. 11, 1486, Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire

William of Waynflete (born 1395?, Wainfleet-All-Saints, Lincolnshire, Eng.—died Aug. 11, 1486, Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire) was an English lord chancellor and bishop of Winchester who founded Magdalen College of the University of Oxford. Little is known of his early years, but he evidently earned a reputation as a scholar before becoming master of Winchester College in 1429. He became a fellow at Eton in 1440 and was provost there in 1443. He was a great favourite of King Henry VI, who secured his appointment in 1447 as bishop of Winchester, a post that Waynflete retained until he died. In 1448 Waynflete ...(100 of 205 words)