William DE CORVE ¹

  General Notes:

Sir William Corve was a priest in the Hereford Diocese, being first recorded in 1400 when he rented a school from Exeter College, Oxford. By the following year he was a fellow at Oriel College, Oxford. On 12th February 1405 William was admitted as Rector of Stretton-in-the-Dale, Herefordshire; and on 28th December 1413 became a portioner of Cold Hall, Pontesbury, Salop. By 1409 William had a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Theology. In March 1415 he was appointed Provost at Oriel and on 6th June 1416 he was presented as Rector of Hanbury Staffordshire.
William died in Contance in 1417 and was buried in St Stephen's Church there with a funeral oration given by Bishop Richard Flemyng of Lincoln.
He left a will, dated 12 November 1414, which was proven on 13th September 1417 at Canterbury. In it he left 10 pounds and 5 shillings for building the nave of Stretton Church, and mentions 'his books St Gregory & St. Crisostom which his mother Margareta Bittersley had.' Indeed 'Liber omeliarum beati Gegorii et sancti Johannis Cristostomi' is held at Oriel College as is another manuscript book which belonged to William.

  Notes:

• Will, 13 Sep 1417, Canterbury.