St. William of York, Bishop

Today's saint is William of York (also known as William of Thwayt), the son of Count Herbert, treasurer to Henry I. His mother Emma, was the half-sister of King William. Young William became treasurer of the church of York at an early age and was elected archbishop of York in 1140.

William's election was challenged on the grounds of simony and unchastity. He was cleared by Rome, but later, a new Pope, the Cistercian Eugene III, suspended William, and in 1147, he was deposed as archbishop of York.

William then retired to Winchester where he led the austere life of a monk, practicing much prayer and penance. Upon the death of his accusers and Eugene III, Anastastius IV restored William his See and made him archbishop. However, after one month back in York, the saintly prelate died in the year 1154. Some claim he was poisoned by the archbishop of York, but no record of any resolution in the case remains extant. After St William's death, miracles were reported at his tomb from the year 1177 onwards, and in the year 1226 he was declared a saint.