Thomas, the first Norman Archbishop, set about the erection of a new cathedral. He formed out of the ruins of the old one a choir, and, in front, built a wide tower with transepts and an aisled nave. He introduced the apse to terminate the eastern end of the choir and the transept chapels. Owing to the rebellious tendencies of the men of York, the new tower may have been planned with an idea of defence and as a place of refuge.
In the next century, Roger, who had been Archdeacon of Canterbury and had seen the building of the choir there, was appointed to the See of York. As the small aisleless choir at York did not appeal to him, he replaced it with a large crypt and aisled choir, which would present less contrast with the glorious choir he had left. The crypt consists of five aisles, separated by columns and short massive diapered piers, which are surrounded by small shafts. The doorways were richly sculptured. Part of the exterior northern wall is now enclosed within the present crypt. On the stonework of the Norman crypt are some well-preserved masons’ marks.
The cathedral at York was never attached to a monastery, but was occupied by a body of secular canons, who in the early days led a kind of communal life. It is probably from this circumstance that the cathedral has been generally referred to as the Minster (monasterium).
Pilgrimages to shrines of saints became very popular; the Minster, however, was at a great disadvantage in comparison with the other great minsters and cathedrals, for it had no illustrious saint buried within its walls. In Beverley Minster the famed archbishop of York—St. John of Beverley—was buried. Durham Cathedral contained the remains of Cuthbert, the most famous of the saints of northern England. Canterbury possessed the tomb of the most popular of English saints, Thomas à Becket. Westminster Abbey enclosed the remains of the saintly Edward the Confessor. St. Albans prided itself on the relics of the early Saint Alban.
The Archbishop of York and the Chapter of the Cathedral agreed to urge the Pope to place Archbishop William, who was buried in the Minster, on the calendar. William’s career as Archbishop had been a chequered one. He was the son of Count Herbert and a nephew of King Stephen. On the death of Thurstan, the King was anxious that his nephew, who at the time was Treasurer to the Minster, should become Archbishop. The election was forced in such an aggressive manner that the clergy resented such an exercise of Court influence, and against William FitzHerbert were also arrayed the Abbots of Rievaulx and Fountains, the Priors of Guisborough and Kirkham, and the Master of St. Peter’s Hospital at York. Both parties went to Rome to lay their case before Pope Innocent, with the result that William, returning successful to England, was consecrated at Winchester. Two years later a cardinal brought the pallium for William, but before it was delivered, the Pope died, and the cardinal returned to Rome, carrying the insignia back with him. William hurried to Rome, and when he got there the quarrel was reopened, and he now found a bitter opponent in the great St. Bernard. The treatment which Archbishop William received was resented by his friends in York, and they resolved to march to Ripon and attack Murdac, Abbot of Fountains. The attack was so serious that William was deposed, and Murdac made Archbishop. On his death, William was recalled, and he set out for the city of York, but was met on the way by the Dean and the Archdeacon, who had opposed him and now announced their intention of appealing against his election. William, however, reached York and was met by such a large crowd that the timber bridge over the Ouse collapsed. Many were thrown into the river. The Archbishop, who had crossed safely before the accident, heard their screams. He turned round and began to pray that all might be saved. His prayer was granted, and a miracle considered to have been worked. On Trinity Sunday, the Archbishop, officiating in the Minster, was taken suddenly ill and returned to the palace. Within thirty days of his triumphal entry into York, he died of fever. His friends said he had been poisoned. He was buried in the Minster, his sudden death calling forth the sympathy of the populace. Miracles were wrought at his tomb, from which flowed oil. Sick people anointed with the oil became well. A man named Ralph, who had lost the sight of both eyes, after praying and fasting, came to the tomb and recovered his sight. William was placed on the calendar in the year 1227. Indulgences were granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of London and Lincoln to those who visited the tomb. Pilgrims came from all parts to the tomb of the saint bringing
