St. William of York, Our Patron Saint

General St. William of York, William Fitzherbert, was a 12th century nobleman, monk, and Archbishop of York in England. He died suddenly in 1154 and was canonized in 1227. St. William of York's feast day is June 8. History St. William of York (birth date unknown-1154), also known as William of Thwayt, was born William Fitzherbert, the son of Count Herbert, treasurer to Henry I, and Emma, half-sister of King Stephen. William became treasurer of the Church of York when quite young and in 1140 was elected Archbishop of York as King Stephen's candidate. But his election aroused violent opposition from the Yorkshire Cistercians, who secured a powerful ally during their numerous appeals to Rome in Bernard, Cistercian Abbot of Clairvaux.

St. William of York

Archdeacon Walter of York and several Cistercian abbots and Augustinian priors challenged his election, charging William with simony (the buying and selling of ecclesiastical pardons and offices), intrusion, and unchastity. None of the charges against Fitzherbert were convincing. He was consecrated archbishop of York in 1143.

When, through his procrastination, his pallium (vestment) was sent back to Rome, William was obliged to go to Rome, where the new Pope, Eugene III, a Cistercian, and the cardinals who supported the pope and favored new monastic orders suspended him. When William's followers attacked Fountains Monastery in England where a colleague of Eugene's, Henry Murdac, was Abbot, the Pope deposed William in 1147 and named Murdac Archbishop of York. William retired to Winchester, led a penitential and austere life as a devout monk, and in 1153, when Eugene and Murdac died, was restored to his see (office of bishop) by Pope Anastasius IV. William has been described as amiable and generous, though unused to heavy work of any kind. After returning to York in April 1154, he died there a month later on June 8 - poisoned, some claim, by Osbert, the new Archdeacon of York. He was buried in his cathedral; miracles were reported at his tomb; and he was regarded both as a victim of injustice and as a saint.

Canonization Pope Honorius III appointed the Cistercian Abbots of Fountains and Rievaulx to inquire into his life and miracles. In 1283 his relics were transferred to a new shrine. In 1421 the well-known St. William window that depicts his life, death, and miracles in sixty-two scenes was made. William of York was canonized in 1227 by Pope Honorius III through the memory of his patient sufferings, the miracles reported at his tomb, and the desire of the Canons of York to rival Ripon as a center of pilgrimage.

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