East Riding.—SELBY: MEAUX
[ST MARY’S, YORK (Mitred Benedictine)]
1078, Founded by Alan of Brittany, Earl of Richmond—1088, William II. enlarges Alan’s grant, and builds a large church and dedicates it to St Mary—1137, The church burnt down—1270, Abbey begun to be rebuilt by Abbot Simon of Warwick—1539, Abbot William Dent surrenders abbey to Henry VIII. when it becomes Crown property. Annual revenue, £1550, 7s.—1827, Yorkshire Philosophical Society buys the land on which the ruins stand.
SO bound up is the history of this Benedictine abbey with that of York that a brief historical survey of the famous ancient city seems almost imperative. Legendary history attributes the founding of York to Eneas, contemporary of David, King of Israel. If this be true, as the monks certainly believed it to be, York may safely boast of an antiquity as far reaching as any other city in the world. Certain it is that when the Romans took possession of the city in 70 A.D. distinct traces of a previous settlement of Brigantes were to be found. To the Celtic name of Aberac the Romans added the Latin terminal um, calling the city Eburacum. Alcuin, a native of York who lived in the 7th century, ascribes the foundation of York to the Romans.
“Hanc, Romanus manus muris et terribus altam.”
“Fundavit primo.”
“Ut fieret ducibus secura regni.”
“Ut decus imperii terrorque hostilibus armis.”
