William Perault

William Perault, also spelled Perauld or Latinized Peraldus or Peraltus, was born around 1190 in Peyraud, France. He pursued his studies at the Sorbonne University of Paris, where he was inspired by the preaching of Jordan of Saxony to join the Dominican Order. Though the exact date of his entry is unknown, it is believed he was already middle-aged. He entered the order at Paris but was assigned to the convent at Lyons, where he spent the remainder of his life. In Lyons, Perault was both a contemplative and active member of the religious community. He significantly contributed to the Church through his prolific writings and powerful preaching. His virtues and spiritual insights were also highly regarded. Perault played a crucial role in ecclesiastical affairs for a decade. During a vacancy in the archiepiscopal see of Lyons, from 1245 to 1267, he undertook all the episcopal duties. This was at the behest of Philip I, Count of Savoy, who held the title of Archbishop of Lyon but was not in holy orders. Due to Perault's extensive service to the diocese, he became known as the Bishop or Archbishop of Lyons, an attribution sometimes mistakenly added to his writings. Esteemed scholars like Gerson, Noël Alexandre, Jacques Échard, and Hurter have discussed whether Perault ever officially held the title of Archbishop, noting that the Gallia christiana asserts he did not, while Louis Ellies du Pin suggests he was merely a member of the Order of Preachers. He died in Lyons in 1271.