Wickwane's background is unknown, as is his place of education, but he was referred to as magister so he probably attended a university.
[2] He was elected Archbishop of York on 22 June 1279, and consecrated on 17 September 1279[3] by Pope Nicholas III at Viterbo.
The matter of the cross involved Wickwane in a dispute with Archbishop John Peckham of Canterbury.
The chapter and bishop appealed to Rome, and the case dragged on for six years before eventually being settled by a compromise.
[6] Wickwane also attempted to keep clergy who kept concubines from performing clerical functions in the diocese of York.