WILLIAM OF YORK, Saint. - Also known by the name of G. Fitzherbert or G. of Thwayt, d. 8 June 1154. In 1139 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 challenged as simoniacal, and St. Bernard himself intervened in the controversy. He was nevertheless consecrated at Winchester on 26 Sept. 1143.

When Eugenius III, a Cistercian, was elected pontiff, through the machinations of his opponents G. was deposed, withdrawing to Winchester, where he lived for some years and was replaced by Murdac. On the death of Eugenius III, of St. Bernard and of his opponent, G. obtained from Anastasius IV permission to return (1154) to York. 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.

Bibliography7 works

BIBL.: Acta SS. Iunii, II, Paris 1867, pp. 134-44; BHL. 8909-13; S. Bernardo, Epistolae, nos. 285-86; PL 182, 422-25; T. F. Tout, William of York, in Dictionary of National Biography, XIX, pp. 173-76; D. Knowles, The Case of st. William of York, in Cambridge historical journal, 5, 1-36, pp. 162-77. 212-14; Martyr. Romanum, p. 228-29.

Stanislao Majarelli

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William of York, Saint

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