Saint William of York
Stored in Cargo: Saint William of York
| Saint William of York | |
| Feast Day | June 08 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | York, England; pregnant women; craftsmen; prisoners; bachelors |
| Birthplace | York, England |
| Death Place | York, England |
| Cause of Death | Illness, possibly poisoning |
| Primary Shrine | York Minster, York, England |
Saint William of York (c. 1090 – June 8, 1154), also known as William FitzHerbert or William of Thwayt, was an English saint and twice Archbishop of York, serving from 1141 to 1147 and 1153 to 1154. Born in York to Herbert of Winchester, treasurer to Henry I, and Emma, possibly a half-sister of King William, he was likely a nephew of King Stephen. William rose through ecclesiastical ranks, becoming canon and treasurer of York by 1130 and archdeacon of the East Riding (1125–1133). Elected Archbishop in 1141, his appointment was contested by Cistercians and archdeacons over alleged simony and royal influence. Consecrated in 1143 after papal clearance, he was deposed in 1147 by Pope Eugene III, a Cistercian, in favor of Henry Murdac. William lived as a monk in Winchester and Sicily until 1153, when Murdac and Eugene III died, allowing his restoration by Pope Anastasius IV. Welcomed back to York, he died a month later, possibly poisoned, though unproven. Miracles at his tomb, including healings and resurrections, led to his canonization in 1227 by Pope Honorius III. His feast day is June 8. He is patron of York, pregnant women, craftsmen, prisoners, and bachelors.[1][2][3]
His relics, rediscovered in 1732 and 1968, rest in a Roman sarcophagus in York Minster’s crypt, with shrine fragments in the Yorkshire Museum. The St. William Window (c. 1415) in York Minster depicts his life and miracles in 100 panels, a testament to his enduring cult despite Reformation destruction of his shrines. William’s forgiveness of his opponents, especially the Cistercians, and his perseverance through injustice mark his legacy as a model of humility.[4][5]
Biography
Birth
Saint William was born around 1090 in York, England, to Herbert of Winchester, chancellor and treasurer to Henry I, and Emma, possibly a half-sister of King William, making him a likely nephew of King Stephen. His noble lineage connected him to England’s royal court.[2][3]
Early Life
William entered the Church young, holding the prebendary of Weighton (1109–1114) and serving as Treasurer of York by 1130 and archdeacon of the East Riding (1125–1133). He accompanied Archbishop Thurstan on embassies to Rome, advocating for York’s independence from Canterbury, secured in 1127. His father’s influence likely aided his rapid rise.[2][6]
Occupation
William was a priest, canon, and archbishop. Elected Archbishop of York in January 1141 after two failed elections, his selection faced opposition from Yorkshire Cistercians and archdeacons, who accused him of simony and unchastity. Cleared by Pope Innocent II, he was consecrated in 1143 but deposed in 1147 by Pope Eugene III. Restored in 1153, he served until his death in 1154, focusing on diocesan reforms and charity.[1][3]
Vocation
William’s vocation was pastoral leadership and forgiveness. Despite a contentious election and deposition, he pursued reform gently, winning popularity. Exiled to Winchester and Sicily, he lived austerely as a monk, practicing prayer and mortification. Restored, he showed kindness to his former Cistercian opponents, promising restitution to Fountains Abbey. His miraculous survival of the Ouse Bridge collapse in 1153, saving crowds, bolstered his sanctity.[4][7]
Death
William died on June 8, 1154, in York, shortly after celebrating Mass on Trinity Sunday, possibly from poisoning by his archdeacon, Osbert de Bayeux, though unproven. Buried in York Minster, his uncorrupted body and miracles, including oil curing infirmities, prompted a cult. His sarcophagus, a reused Roman artifact, remains in the crypt.[2][8]
Significant events
- Appointed Treasurer of York, c. 1130.
- Elected Archbishop of York, January 1141.
- Consecrated Archbishop, September 26, 1143.
- Deposed by Pope Eugene III, 1147.
- Restored as Archbishop, 1153.
- Miraculous Ouse Bridge collapse survival, 1153.
- Died, possibly poisoned, June 8, 1154.
- Canonized by Pope Honorius III, 1227.[2][4]
Significant locations
Legend
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Death location: None
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
William’s recognition as a Servant of God began with miracles reported at his tomb from 1177, including resurrections and healings, fostering a local cult in York.[9]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through pilgrimage to York Minster.[2]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his canonization relied on early veneration and miracles investigated by Fountains and Rievaulx monks.[8]
Canonization
William was canonized in 1227 by Pope Honorius III in Rome, based on miracles like raising three dead persons and restoring sight to five blind individuals, verified by monastic inquiry. His feast day is June 8.[3][9]
Miracles
William’s canonization was supported by numerous miracles, including oil from his tomb curing infirmities, resurrections, and sight restoration, reported from 1177.[10]
Miracle for beatification
No specific miracle was required, as his veneration predates formal beatification.[3]
Miracle for canonization
Key miracles included oil curing diseases, three resurrections, and sight restoration to five blind persons, investigated by monks.[9]
Other notable miracles
- Ouse Bridge collapse with no casualties, 1153.
- Uncorrupted body found after tomb fire damage.
- Healing of a man blinded in a duel.[4][10]
Patronage
Saint William is patron of York, England, pregnant women (due to tomb-related healings), craftsmen, prisoners, and bachelors, reflecting his charitable works and trials.[10][11]
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on June 8 in the Roman Catholic Church, marking his death.[2]
Veneration
William is venerated at York Minster, where his Roman sarcophagus in the Western Crypt draws pilgrims for quiet reflection. The St. William Window (c. 1415), with 100 panels, depicts his life and miracles. Shrine fragments, destroyed during the Reformation, are in the Yorkshire Museum. Small services on his feast day honor his forgiveness and perseverance, with his cult historically significant in York’s medieval religious life.[4][5]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[3]
- St William of York by Christopher Norton[12]
- The St William Window in York Minster by Thomas French[5]
Written by the saint
- None recorded.[3]
External links
- Saint William of York at CatholicSaints.Info
- St. William of York at Catholic Online
- St. William in the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Saint William of York at Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Saint William of York". Franciscan Media. 2022-06-08. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-william-of-york.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "William of York". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_of_York.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "St. William". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15628c.htm.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint William: Patron Saint of York". History of York. https://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/norman/saint-william.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "On this day: St. William of York". National Catholic Reporter. 2011-06-08. https://www.ncronline.org/feature-series/saint-day/st-william-york.
- ↑ "Saint William of York". York Oratory. https://www.yorkoratory.com/saint-william-of-york.html.
- ↑ "Saint William of York". CatholicSaints.Info. 2013-04-04. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-william-of-york/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "St William of York". Independent Catholic News. 2024-06-08. https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/159.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "St. William of York". Salve Maria Regina. 2024-06-08. https://www.salvemariaregina.info/Saints/St.William.html.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "St. William of York". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-william-of-york.
- ↑ "The Legacy of Saint William of York: Patron Saint of Craftsmen, Prisoners and Bachelors". Catholic365. 2023-06-14. https://www.catholic365.com/article/14954/the-legacy-of-saint-william-of-york-patron-saint-of-craftsmen-prisoners-and-bachelors.html.
- ↑ "St William of York". Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/St-William-York-Christopher-Norton/dp/1903153174.