William fitzHerbert (died 1154)

In 1140 the amiable, but idle, nephew of King Stephen, William fitzHerbert, was made Archbishop of York in the teeth of strong opposition, principally from the Cistercian order. The dispute over William's suitability for his position dragged on until 1146 when St Bernard of Clairvaux persuaded the pope to appoint Hugh Murdac, Abbot of Fountains Abbey as archbishop. William retired to Winchester as a monk, but in 1153 a new pope restored William to the archbishopric and he entered York in triumph. He was welcomed by so many people that the bridge over the River Ouse in the centre of the city collapsed. However, it is recorded that, thanks to William's prayers, no one was killed. Shortly afterwards William died, but miracles began to occur at his tomb and he was made St William of York in 1226.