William of Sens
French master mason and architect / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the archbishop of Sens, see William of the White Hands.
William of Sens or Guillaume de Sens (died August 11, 1180) was a 12th-century French master mason and architect, believed to have been born at Sens, France.[1] He is known for rebuilding the choir of Canterbury Cathedral between 1174 and 1177, counted as the first important example of the Early Gothic Style of architecture in England, finished in 1184.[2][3] Before Canterbury, he worked on Sens Cathedral.[2] According to one English source, he died at Canterbury[4] on 11 August 1180.[5] According to other sources, he died in France, after returning from England.[6][7][8]