in september 1229 at tournon william was one of the arbiters of a dispute between the bishop of valence, william of savoy, who was a brother of "le petit charlemagne", and the citizens of valence. in 1234 he had his second son, amadeus, installed as a canon in the diocese of lausanne. in 1239 amadeus was successful in leading the pro-genevan party over he pro-savoyard in the episcopal election which placed jean de cossonay on the bishop's seat.