William Lloyd, one of the most learned and eminent of English bishops, descended from an ancient Welsh family seated in the island of Anglesea, was born in 1627, at Tilehurst, in Berkshire, of which place his father was rector, and also vicar of Sunning, in the same county. He received his early education from his father, and was entered in 1638 a student of Oriel college, Oxford, and the following year obtained a scholarship at Jesus college. In 1642 he proceeded B.A. and left the university, but returned in 1646, when he commenced M.A. and was chosen fellow of his college. He was ordained deacon in 1649 and afterwards became tutor to the children of Sir William Backhouse of Swallowfield, Berks. In 1654 he was presented to the living of Bradfield by Elias Ashmole, but, a dispute arising as to the right of presentation, he resigned the living. In 1656 he was ordained priest, and went to Wadham college, Oxon. as governor to John Backhouse, Esq., a gentleman commoner, with whom he continued till 1659. In September 1660 he was incorporated M.A. at Cambridge, and was made a prebendary of Ripon. In 1666 he was appointed a king's chaplain, and in 1667 was collated to a prebend of Salisbury, having shortly before proceeded D.D. at Oxford.