 In 1240, William and David de Bernham, Bishop of St Andrews, were summoned to Rome by Pope Gregory IX, in order to attend a general council.The latter, however, did not go ahead, and the bishops returned home.On 18 July 1244, William sanctioned the foundation of Crossraguel Abbey in Carrick, after Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick had given donations to Paisley Abbey for this purpose, but Paisley Abbey had merely founded a chapel and kept the balance.