History of the Parish and Manorhouse of Bishopthorpe; Together with an Account of the Pre-Reformation Residences of the Archbishops of York (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. PRE-REFORMATION RESIDENCES OF THE ARCHBISHOPS OF YORK. E do not know much about the Residences of the Archbishops of York in early Saxon times, nor is there very much to be known. They were missionaries, travelling about from place to place, strengthening the stakes of the Church by planting centres in the chief towns of the diocese, Beverley, Ripon, Southwell and York, and lengthening its cords by preaching, baptizing and confirming in the outlying parts of the great kingdom of Northumbria. Nor must we forget that they were not only missionaries, but most of them were monks. As soon as they could they built a monastery, which became their headquarters; the refuge to which they were only too glad to return from time to time, to enjoy its peaceful quiet and retirement after the turmoil of the outside world. Paulinus was sent by Pope Gregory from the monastery of S. Andrew at Rome to join Augustine in 601. S. Chad came from the monastery at Lastingham in 664, and gladly returned to it five years later. S. John of Beverley, in the next century, lived and worked amongst his fellow-monks in the old town, where he is still so much remembered.' Archbishop Egbert, the founder of the great school at York, which for many years attracted students from all parts of Europe, lived in his Cathedral city. His famous pupil Alcuin, the friend of Charlemagne, has left us the following interesting sketch of his master's daily life in York when not occupied with the cares of the diocese: --"As soon as he was at leisure in the morning he sent for some of the young clerks, and sitting on his couch taught them successively till noon, at which time he retired to his private Chapel and celebrated Mass. After dinner, at which he ate sparingly, he amused...