Saint William of York

Biography

Saint William of York, also known as William FitzHerbert, William FitzHerbert of York, and William of Thwayt, was born as the son of Count Herbert and Emma, who was the half-sister to King William. He was born into a noble family and was raised in a devout Catholic household. From a young age, William showed great piety and a passion for the Church. As a result, he was appointed as the treasurer of the church in York, England while still in his youth. His dedication and skill in managing the church's finances caught the attention of King Henry I, who appointed him as his treasurer. In addition to his administrative duties, William also pursued a vocation to the priesthood. He was ordained as a priest and became the chaplain to King Stephen. His position at the royal court allowed him to serve as a spiritual guide to the king and the nobility, offering them counsel and support. In 1140, William was appointed as the Archbishop of York. However, his selection faced opposition from reformers, particularly a group of Cistercians. They accused William of simony (the buying or selling of spiritual things), sexual misconduct, and being unduly influenced by his connections to the royal court. The Vatican launched an investigation into these accusations, and Pope Innocent III ultimately cleared William of all charges. He confirmed William as the Archbishop of York on 26 September 1143. Despite this exoneration, the accusations resurfaced a few years later under Pope Eugene III, who was a Cistercian himself. In response, Pope Eugene III suspended William from his position and in 1147 removed him as the archbishop. He was replaced by the Cistercian Henry Murdac, who was the abbot of Fountains. William's supporters, outraged by this decision, took to the streets in protest. During a riot, they attacked and burned the monastery of Fountains. William, however, decided to retire to Winchester and became a monk. Known for his austere lifestyle and active prayer life, he devoted himself to a life of intense spirituality. In 1154, during the reign of Pope Anastasius IV, William was called back from his seclusion and re-ordained as the archbishop of York. Unfortunately, his return was short-lived, as he passed away a month later. There were rumors of poisoning, including the possibility of poison introduced into the sacramental wine, but no records of the investigation's result have survived. It is more likely that William died from fever. Saint William of York was buried in the cathedral of York, England. He was canonized on 18 March 1226 by Pope Honorius III. The investigation into his sanctity was led by the Cistercians, the very group that had challenged his appointment as archbishop. Saint William of York's feast days are celebrated on 8 June and 8 January (the translation of his relics). Though his patronage is not recorded, his life is a testament to his unwavering faith, his dedication to the Church, and his perseverance in the face of unjust accusations.