York academic puts city's saint in the spotlight

Posted on Tuesday 2 May 2006

Dr Norton, a Reader in History of Art at the University of York, was awarded a two-year British Academy Research Readership to work full-time on the Cult of St William and the St William window in York Minster in October 2002.

The book explores, for the first time, William's life from his birth c.1100 to his suspicious death 54 years later, and the process of his subsequent canonisation. It traces his upbringing at Winchester and his family connections -- his father, Herbert the Chamberlain, was a senior royal official who attempted to assassinate Henry I in 1118.

Dr Norton discusses William's long career as Treasurer of the Minster, and re-examines the dispute over his election as Archbishop, which brought him into conflict with St Bernard and the Yorkshire Cistercians, leading to his deposition as Archbishop in 1147.

He was elected Archbishop for the second time in 1153. The whole city flocked on to Ouse Bridge to see him return to York, and when the bridge collapsed under the weight of the crowds, William prayed and no one lost their lives. But William himself died in the following year amid accusations of murder, and miracles at his tomb in 1177 led to his veneration as a saint. Dr Norton's book concludes with William's formal canonisation by Pope Honorius in 1226.

St William's remains are now resting in York Minster's western Crypt, and the St William window in the North Quire Aisle commemorates scenes from his life. The window was painted in the early 15th century, probably by John Thornton of Coventry, who also painted the Great East Window in the Minster. It is being restored by the York Glaziers' Trust, and panels are currently on display in the Chapter House vestibule.

Dr Norton, who is also a member of the University's Centre for Medieval Studies, has research interests covering a wide range of topics relating to ecclesiastical art and architecture in England and France from the seventh to the 16th centuries.