St. William of Norwich's corpse was found showing signs of a violent death. He is the earliest example of a medieval blood libel saint, having died in 1144. His biographer relied on hearsay, and was "a man of unlimited credulity."

Essay on St. William of Norwich, venerated locally as a boy "martyr" for a little under 200 years. The accusation against the Jews on which his alleged martyrdom, and therefore sanctity, rests was denounced vigorously by two 13th-century popes.

Profile of St. William of Norwich.