WILLIAM OF YORK, St. — Also known as W. Fitzherbert or W. of Thwayt, d. 8 June 1154. In 1130 he was a canon and treasurer of the cathedral chapter of York. Elected bishop of that city in 1142, against the candidacy of the Cistercian Henry Murdac, his election was contested as simoniacal, and St. Bernard himself intervened in the controversy. He was nevertheless consecrated at Winchester on 26 Sept. 1143.
When Eugene III, a Cistercian, was elected pope, through the machinations of his adversaries W. was deposed and retired to Winchester, where he lived for several years and was replaced by Murdac. Upon the death of Eugene III, St. Bernard, and his opponent, W. obtained from Anastasius IV permission to return to York in 1154. He still found opponents, who were suspected of being guilty of his death, which occurred two months later. Honorius III declared him a saint on 18 March. Feast on 8 June.