Saint of the Day Online - St. William of York

Saint of the Day for Wednesday, June 8th, 2017

Saint Name: St. William of York
Place: York, England
Birth:  late 11th Century
Death: 8 June 1154

St. William of York, Bishop was an English priest and Archbishop of York. William of York was the son of Count Herbert, treasurer to Henry I. His mother Emma, was the half-sister of King William. Young William became treasurer of the church of York at an early age and was elected archbishop of York in 1140.

William has the unusual distinction of having been Archbishop of York twice, both before and after his rival Henry Murdac. He was a relative of King Stephen of England, and the King helped secure FitzHerbert's election to York after a number of candidates had failed to secure papal confirmation.

William's election was challenged on the grounds of simony and unchastity. He was cleared by Rome, but later, a new Pope, the Cistercian Eugene III, suspended William, and in 1147, he was deposed as archbishop of York.

William then retired to Winchester where he led the austere life of a monk, practicing much prayer and mortification. Upon the death of his accusers and Eugene III, Pope Anastastius IV restored William his See and made him archbishop. However, after one month back in York, the saintly prelate died in the year 1154. Some claim he was poisoned by the archdeacon of York, but no record of any resolution in the case remains extant. Pope Honorius III canonized William in 1227.

York saint's shrine: 

York saint's shrine on show for first time in 400 years (Source BBC)

The remains of two shrines dedicated to one of the north's most well-known saints are to go on the show together for the first time in 400 years. The shrines will form part of the new medieval display when the Yorkshire Museum in York reopens on 1 August 2010 following a major refurbishment. The oldest shrine to St William of York, dating from 1330, has not been seen by the public since it was destroyed by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries.

A second shrine, dating from the 15th Century, will also be on the show but in a much more complete state than previously seen since it was destroyed.

Andrew Morrison, the curator of archaeology at York Museums Trust, said: "St William is York's only saint and regarded as one of the most historically important in the north of England. He was unusually crowned Archbishop of York twice. For 300 years thousands of pilgrims came to York to worship his shrines, which became bigger and grander over time and were reportedly the scene for many miracles.