The following information has been extracted from Newcourt's Repertorium and Essex and the Great Revolt of 1381 by Robert Ernest Wood.
William at Water was collated to the Rectory of Thorley on 10 May 1333.
He served at St James' until his death, some sixty years later.
William was Rector at the time of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, when it is recorded that John Spicer, a trader in spices and a hot-headed rebel, imprisoned the Parson of Thorley and threatened to decapitate him unless he handed over the deeds of certain leasehold property in Chelmsford.
William was succeeded as Rector of Thorley by Thomas Thorpe, who was instituted on 24 September 1393.
Philip Hargrave
January 2012