St William of York - Softcover

Norton, Christopher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 190315359X ISBN 13: 9781903153598

Publisher: York Medieval Press, 2014

Synopsis

St William of York achieved the unique distinction of being elected archbishop of York twice and being canonised twice. Principally famous for his role in the York election dispute and the miracle of Ouse bridge, William emerges from this, the first full-length study devoted to him, as a significant figure in the life of the church in northern England and an interesting character in his own right. William's father, Herbert the Chamberlain, was a senior official in the royal treasury at Winchester who secured William's initial preferment at York; the importance of family connections, particularly after his cousin Stephen became king, forms a recurring theme. Dr Norton describes how he was early on involved in the primacy dispute with Canterbury, and after his father attempted to assassinate Henry I, he spent some years abroad with Archbishop Thurstan. William knew some of the earliest Yorkshire Cistercians, who were subsequently among his fiercest opponents during his first episcopate, which is here reconsidered in the light of new evidence: he emerges from the affair with much greater credit, St Bernard with correspondingly less. Retiring to Winchester after his deposition, he was elected archbishop a second time in 1153, but died the next year amid suspicions of murder. Miracles at his tomb in 1177 led to his veneration as a saint. The book concludes with the bull of canonisation issued by Pope Honorius III in 1226. CHRISTOPHER NORTON is Professor of the History of Art, University of York.

About this title

About the Author:

CHRISTOPHER NORTON is Professor of the History of Art, University of York.

Review:

An excellent addition to the number of individual studies of twelfth-century prelates. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW(A) very welcome study.scholarly and engaging. (...) Of interest not only as a corrective to previous assessments of William of York, but for the rich picture of the northern diocese in this formative period. THE CATHOLIC HISTORICAL REVIEWSheds remarkable light on the Church of the 12th and 13th centuries. A magisterial study...lucid and comprehensive. CHURCH TIMES(The author) has explored or re-interpreted a remarkable range of sources...and transforms our understanding of (William's) early career. A rich study. NORTHERN HISTORY

About this edition

• Publisher: York Medieval Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 190315359X
• ISBN 13: 9781903153598
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 289