Feastday: September 2
Death: 1067
Bishop and counselor to the Danish royal house. Originally an Anglo-Saxon priest, he served as chaplain to King Canute of Scandinavia (r. 1014-1035) and went with him to Denmark. Once there, he served as a missionary among the pagans and was appointed bishop of Roeskilde on Zeeland Island. As bishop, he publicly rebuked King Sven Estridsen (r. 1047-1074) for his execution of several men without trial and for a dissolute lifestyle Nevertheless, both the king and William worked well together to promote political and religious unity and to further the Christian cause. William died while taking part in the funeral procession of the king. He has never been formally canonized, although he was traditionally venerated in Danish churches.
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