William of York - Second Archiepiscopate

Second Archiepiscopate

King Stephen refused to accept FitzHerbert'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. Stephen was trying to secure the coronation of Eustace as his successor during his own lifetime, to defeat the rival claims to the throne of Henry of Anjou. Within a few years, however, both Murdac and the new Pope had died, so FitzHerbert travelled to Rome to plead with the new pope, Anastasius IV, for restoration to office. The pope concurred, and FitzHerbert's reappointment was confirmed on 20 December 1153. On his return to York, while crossing the Ouse Bridge in York in triumphal procession, the bridge collapsed, yet no one was killed.