If William Durant the Elder ever entertained any plans to play an active role in Gabalitan politics, in the event he never had a chance. After only four years his stay in Mende was cut short by an order from Boniface VIII to return to Italy and resume his previous duties in the papal states for which, it seems, his experience was invaluable. Shortly thereafter, on 1 November 1296, he died without having returned to Mende and was buried in Sta Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. A few weeks later, on 17 December 1296, Boniface VIII appointed his nephew, William Durant the Younger, to succeed him.

WILLIAM DURANT THE YOUNGER (1296–1330)

What we know about William Durant the Younger's early years is similar to what we know about his uncle, and just as scanty. He, too, was born in Puimisson, probably not long after 1266. He, too, must have studied law, but the circumstances of this are unclear. Probably he learned something from his uncle and perhaps he attended one of the centres of legal training in southern France. He may have gone on to a major university, but it is impossible to tell which one.