Venerable William of Peñacorada

Venerable William of Peñacorada labored in the first half of the 11th century in the Peñacorada mountains of northern Castile, Spain, where he led a strict hermit's life. In time disciples seeking spiritual guidance gathered around his cell, giving rise to a small monastic community that later developed into a monastery. Information about his life is scarce and derives mainly from local Spanish church tradition; he died around 1042. He is venerated locally as one of the ascetics of early Spanish monasticism.