Saint William (☩ 8 June 1154). Archbishop Of York (Twice). Confessor. Feast Day 8 June. White Vestments. A Tale Of Mayhem, Political Intrigue, Suspicion Of Murder, Plotting, Envy, Hate. Good Job We Don't Have That Now. (Part Five).

Mediæval carved plaque showing Saint William of York crossing the River Ouse. The Bridge collapses, but no-one dies.

Photo: 20 February 2010.

Source: 

Originally posted to Flickr as 

Saved from the Ouse.

This File is licensed under the 

Creative Commons Attribution 

2.0 Generic Licence.

Author: Katy Stuart.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

While awaiting the final decision in his case, William took up residence with one of his friends, Roger II, King of Sicily.[19] 

English: Coat-of-Arms of the Aragonese Kings of Sicily.

Català: Escut dels reis aragonesos de Sicília (Coronat).

Español: Escudo de los reyes aragoneses de Sicilia (Coronado).

Date: 27 September 2010.

Source: Faustino Menéndez Pidal de Navascués, Reyes de Aragón, El escudo de España, Madrid, Real Academia Matritense de Heráldica y Genealogía; Ediciones Hidalguia, 2004, p. 149. ISBN 978-84-88833-02-0.

Author: Heralder

(Wikimedia Commons)

Hearing of his suspension, some of William’s supporters in York launched a damaging attack on Fountains Abbey, which destroyed many of the buildings.[20] 

William was formally deposed by Pope Eugene III in Early-1147 and the deposition was confirmed at the Council of Reims on 21 March 1148. 

Another election to York was held, and the candidates included Hilary of Chichester, who was the King’s candidate, and Henry Murdac, the Cistercian Abbot of Fountains Abbey. 

Murdac's supporters included the Cistercians and most of the Clergy of the Diocese, including William’s former ally, William of Saint Barbara. 

Both sides appealed to the Pope, and Pope Eugene III confirmed Murdac as the successful candidate.[5][15] 

William then returned to Winchester, the City he had left forty years earlier to begin his career in York.[21]

King Stephen refused to accept William’s deposition and the appointment of Murdac and prevented Murdac from taking up residence in York. 

Stephen probably wished to trade recognition of Murdac for support for his son Eustace, whose Coronation as his successor he was trying to secure during his own lifetime, to defeat rival claims to the throne by Henry of Anjou.[22][b] 

Within a few years, both Murdac and Pope Eugene III had died and William travelled to Rome to plead with the new Pope, Anastasius IV, for restoration to office.

The Pope concurred and William’s re-appointment was confirmed on 20 December 1153.[5][23]

The 800th Anniversary of 

Saint William of York becoming a Saint.

Available on YouTube

HERE

On his return to York, while crossing the Ouse Bridge in York, in triumphal procession, the Bridge collapsed, but no-one was killed.[24]

PART SIX FOLLOWS.