William de la Roche (lord of Veligosti)

William de la Roche was a Frankish nobleman and the lord of Veligosti in the Principality of Achaea. He was a member of the de la Roche family, a prominent baronial family in Frankish Greece.

William succeeded his father, Guy I de la Roche, as lord of Veligosti. Veligosti, located in the region of Arcadia in the Morea (Peloponnese), was a strategically important castle. His tenure as lord is primarily known through his participation in the political and military affairs of the Principality.

He played a significant role in the internal conflicts and external wars of Achaea. Specifically, he is noted for his involvement in the War of the Euboeote Succession, supporting the Lombard barons against the Prince William II of Achaea. He was likely present at the Battle of Karydi in 1258, where Prince William II decisively defeated the rebellious barons.

The historical records concerning William de la Roche are relatively sparse, with details about his life beyond his involvement in significant political events being limited. His legacy rests primarily on his role within the de la Roche family and his participation in the complex political landscape of Frankish Greece during the 13th century.

His successor as lord of Veligosti is not clearly documented, although the lordship eventually passed to other families through marriage and inheritance within the context of the declining Frankish presence in the Peloponnese.