William, Count of Perche

alt=A woodcut illustration of a man in a robe, holding a crozier in one hand. The words of the seal in French are written in a rough oval around the man. Seal of William II, Count of PercheWilliam II (died 1226), count of Perche and bishop of Châlons, son of Count Rotrou IV of Perche and Matilda, daughter of Count Theobald II of Champagne and Matilda of Carinthia.

William began his career as treasurer and provost of the Church of St. Martin of Tours, and was elected bishop of Chalons in 1215, consecrated in 1216. The following year he became count of Perche upon the death of his nephew Thomas in the Battle of Lincoln. As count-bishop, William was a valuable advisor to the kings of France and was listed among those by Pope Honorious III to participate in the Albigensian Crusade. His death in February 1226 left the question of the succession to the County of Perche unresolved for years. He left money to his cousin Countess Isabelle of Chartres for the "support of the poor".