a monk who is said to have flourished at Bristol in the 15th century, and to have been an author voluminous and elegant. Of the poems attributed to him, and published some time ago, various opinions have been entertained, which we have noticed elsewhere. They seem now to be almost forgotten. See Chatterton.

William, who stands in the third class of dramatic writers, lived in the reign of King Charles I. and received his education at the university of Cambridge; but whether he took any degree there, is not evident; there being but few particulars preserved in regard to him more than his close intimacy and connection with all the principal wits and poetical geniuses of that age, by whom he was well beloved, and with some of whom he joined in their writings. Wood styles him "the ornament, for wit and ingenuity, of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge." In a word, he was a very great benefactor to the English stage having, exclusive of his aid lent to Middleton, Day, Heywood, Webster, &c., left us five plays of his own composing, and one in which even the immortal Shakespeare afforded him some assistance.