William, bishop of Exeter in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was born at Great Wycomb in Buckinghamshire. From Eton School, in the year 1528 he removed to King's College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of bachelor of arts. He also studied some time at Oxford; afterwards he married, was presented with a living, and became a zealous reformer. Upon Queen Mary's accession he left his cure and retired into the north of England, where he maintained himself and his wife by teaching a school, and practising physic. When Elizabeth came to the throne, he went to London, where he acquired great reputation by reading the divinity lecture at St Paul's; and in July 1560 was consecrated bishop of Exeter. He died on the 15th of April 1570, and was buried at Exeter, in the cathedral. He wrote, among other things, The Poor Man's Library, 2 vols. folio, London 1571, containing twelve lectures on the first epistle of St Peter, read at St Paul's; and a Hebrew Grammar. He also translated the Pentateuch, in the version of the Scriptures known as the Bishop's Bible.