William of York - First Archiepiscopate and Deposition

First Archiepiscopate and Deposition

As archbishop, FitzHerbert undertook a number of ecclesiastical reforms, and became popular with the people of York. However, he still needed a pallium, the sign of an archbishop's authority from the pope, which he had not yet received. The Cistercians, who were still adamantly opposed his being archbishop, were determined to prevent his receiving it. FitzHerbert travelled to Rome in an attempt to obtain the pallium. The election of Pope Eugene III, a Cistercian, in 1145, was a setback for FitzHerbert's cause. Bernard of Clairvaux, the famous Cistercian abbot and religious leader, exerted all his influence to ensure FitzHerbert's suspension, sending a series of complaints to the new pope that William had been intruded by secular powers into the see, that he was oppressing the Cistercian monasteries and that he had irregularly appointed William of St. Barbara as Dean of York. In the winter of 1145–46 Eugene re-examined the case, declared that FitzHerbert had not been validly consecrated, and suspended him from office. FitzHerbert was required to obtain an in-person refutation of the old charges by William of St. Barbara, who was now the Bishop of Durham.

While awaiting the final decision in his case, FitzHerbert took up residence with one of his friends, Roger II, King of Sicily. Hearing of his suspension, some of FitzHerbert's supporters in York launched a damaging attack upon Fountains Abbey which destroyed many of the buildings. William was formally deposed as archbishop by Eugenius 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 FitzHerbert's former ally, William of St. Barbara. Both sides appealed to the pope, and the pope confirmed Murdac as the successful candidate. FitzHerbert then returned to Winchester, the city he had left forty years earlier to begin his career in York.