On pages xxv-xxxvi, the French Society of Norman Antiquarians states that they believe William de Courcy is the son of Robert de Courcy, seneschal of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Henry his son.
His name is very frequently found in the documents of this period. William of Courci is one of the most frequent witnesses of the charters of Henry II. In this capacity we find him, from the middle of November 1151, at the bottom of a diploma of Henry, who still had only the title of Duke of Normandy (Caritrf. de Samgni^ in diversis episc., n*. xxxv, ).
At the end of 1171, we see him acting with William of Saint-Jean as justiciar of the king (M. Léchaudé, Great Rues, p. 198). He is listed on the fiefdom roll of 1172 as holder of the honours of Courci and Ecajeul (Houard, Trstùés, 11, p. 2A1), which allows us to correct the article in the pouillé de Lisfteux (p. A7) where "Ricardus de Corceyo" is given as patron of Ecajeul.
In 1173, at Montserrat, he swore for Henry II the treaty concluded with the Count of Maurienne (R* de Hoveden, ed. de Saville, 1596, f. 30/i v^).
It seems that in 1173, part of the land was in the king's domain (Yoy. Madox, The hùt. ofthe exch., cb. X, § II; ed. in-4%, t I, p. 297, i).
We have from him a charter in favor of the priory of Perrières founded by his family; he took his title of seneschal there: "dapifer régis Ânglie" (ChanuL Maj, Monast., t II 9 p. 93).
He died in 1176. (Benoit de Peterb.; Rtc. des Bisu^ 1. Xill^ p. 167)
...leaving a young son, whom he had had with the daughter of Richer de l'Aigle (Bob. du Mont; Ibid. "p. 319)
We presume that this young son is the "Wllelmus de Curceio, filius Wllelmi de Curcelo 1, who confirmed an agreement made between the monks of Lessai and Troarn (Ub. de benef. Exaijuii, t 103 r*.). — The words of 'tempore Willelmi de Curceio' which we find on our roll, in article XXXIII which we are commenting on deserve particular attention. They indicate that the debt of Gervais de Torigni dated from the time when Guillaume de Courci fulfilled the functions of seneschal, that is to say before 1176.
We must recall the important reforms which were accomplished at this time in the administration of public wealth.
The successor of William of Courci was not William son of Raoul, as reported by Roger de Roveden (ed. of 1596, f. 316 v^». ), but Richard, bishop of Winchester.
As Saint-Michel 1176 approached, that is to say at the time of the rendering of accounts, Henry II sent this officer to Normandy with the title of Justicier or Seneschal: "Constitui eum Justiciam Normanniae" (Ben. de Peterb.; t XIII, p. 166). The powers of this officer were very extensive; in keeping with his mission, Richard displayed great activity during the 18 months that he administered the duchy.
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