William Fitzjohn was a leading prelate in early fourteenth century Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory

Bishop of Ossory

The Bishop of Ossory is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient of Kingdom of Ossory in the Province of Leinster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The diocese of Ossory...

, Archbishop of Cashel

Archbishop of Cashel

The Archbishop of Cashel is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. The title is still in use in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Church of Ireland it was downgraded to a bishopric in 1838....

, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland

Lord Chancellor of Ireland

The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...

Early Career

He is said to have been born in England, but little is known of him before about 1300. He first appeared in Ireland as a Canon of St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny.In 1302 the see of Ossory became vacant and Fitzjohn, who was much loved by the other clergy of the diocese, was the unanimous choice as Bishop of Ossory.

Archbishop of Cashel

In 1317 the Archdiocese of Cashel became vacant, causing a fierce contest between three rival candidates.The Pope refused to promote any of them and chose Fitzjohn; although KIng Edward II had his own candidate he happily accepted Fitzjohn, whom he knew and respeced. The Archbishop served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland between 1318 and 1320, and briefly as Lord Deputy of Ireland

Lord Deputy of Ireland

The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...

.

As Archbishop he is mainly remembered for overseeing the building of the walls of Cashel

Cashel

Cashel is an Anglicised form of the Irish language word Caiseal, meaning "stone ringfort". Cashels were typically built on rocky outcrops.It has given its name to the following places:In Ireland:*Cashel, County Tipperary...

 town. The archdiocese suffered during the invasion of Edward Bruce

Edward Bruce

Edward the Bruce , sometimes modernised Edward of Bruce, was a younger brother of King Robert I of Scotland, who supported his brother in the struggle for the crown of Scotland, then pursued his own claim in Ireland. He was proclaimed High King of Ireland, but was eventually defeated and killed in...

and Fitzjohn found himself in severe financial difficulty. In 1320 the King wrote to the Pope asking for the Archbishop to be released from paying certain debts, on account of the invasion : "he has not received the least profits out of his See, but was obliged to run in debt with his neighbours and friends even for necessaries." To assist Fitzjohn the King appointed him Keeper of the Rolls, with an income of £500 a year.

Character

Fitzjohn died on 15 September 1326. O'Flanagan describes him as a man of great influence and power who was revered by clergy and laity alike; he was also reputed to have accumulated great wealth, which seems unlikely in view of the plea of poverty made to the Pope on his behalf.