William Zouche

William de la Zouche (1299–1352) was Lord Treasurer of England and served as Archbishop of York from 1342 until his death.

Origins He was the youngest son of Sir Roger de la Zouche (died 1302) of Lubbesthorpe in Leicestershire (younger brother of William la Zouche, 1st Baron Zouche (1276–1351) of Harringworth, Northamptonshire) by his wife Juliana de Brascy.

Career He was educated at Oxford University where he graduated as a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Canon Law, before taking holy orders. He served as a royal chaplain before entering the Treasury and was appointed Keeper of the Wardrobe from 1329 to 1334, Controller of the Wardrobe from 1334 to 1335 and Lord Privy Seal from 1335 to 1337.

In 1337 he was promoted to Lord Treasurer, a post which he held until March 1338, and again from December 1338 to May 1340.

After preferment to various benefices, in 1329 he was appointed Archdeacon of Barnstaple in Devon, was collated Archdeacon of Exeter on 12 July 1330 and was made Dean of York in 1336.

Following the death of William Melton, Archbishop of York, King Edward III wanted his secretary, William de Kildesby (of Kilsby) elected to the post. However, the Canons of York Minster elected Zouche, then Dean of York, on 2 May 1340.

Death and burial Zouche died on 19 July 1352 at Cawood Palace and was buried before the altar of St Edward in the nave of York Minster. He founded and began the building of a chantry chapel adjoining the south wall of the choir. This appears to have been demolished when Thoresby's wider choir was built and no trace of it remains.