WILLIAM OF SAINT-AMOUR. - Philosopher and theologian, born at the beginning of the 13th century, died in 1271. He studied in Paris and at that University was magister artium in 1228; master in theology about 1250.
He belonged to the secular clergy and is famous for the struggle he waged against the mendicant orders (Franciscans and Dominicans) to prevent their members from teaching in the University, or at least to limit their number to one per order. His adversaries were St. Bonaventure and St. Thomas Aquinas. At first, under the pontificate of Innocent IV, it seemed that William had won the day. The situation changed with the accession of Alexander IV (12 December 1254). William wrote against the mendicants a *Liber de Antichristo et eiusdem ministris* and then (1255–56) a *Libellus de periculis novissimorum temporum*, which was condemned by Alexander IV in October 1256. A few months earlier William had been deprived of all his benefices and dignities. He appealed to the Roman Curia, but obtained no redress and was exiled from the kingdom of France. He nevertheless persisted in his position and remained in contact with his friends and fellow combatants in Paris, GERARDO D'ABRÉVILLE (v.) and Nicholas of Lisieux.