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YORK.
nesses as filius Eegis, and draws the inference that he
was a natural son of the Conqueror.
He was nominated Archbishop at Whitsuntide,
1070. There was then no Archbishop of Canterbury,
and in the Northern Province the number of suffragan
bishops, as it happened, was insufficient, so that he
was obHged to wait Lanfranc's own consecration before
he could receive imposition of hands. But a difficulty
arose. Lanfranc claimed in the first place a declaration
of obedience and subjection to the chair of
Augustine. Thomas refused. The matter was laid
before the king, who ordered Lanfranc to consecrate
unconditionally. The latter, however, argued the
matter with William, suggesting the expedience of
one primate only being recognised, and representing
the possible danger which might arise to the realm
from a contrary course. In the end Thomas yielded
so far as to promise to be subject to Lanfranc, though
he would not engage to yield submission to his successors.
Lanfranc thought it well to profess contentment
with this partial obedience, and proceeded with
the Archbishop's consecration.
Both went together to Rome to receive their palls,
accompanied by Remigius, bishop of Dorchester.
The question of the subjection of York to Canterbury
was laid before the pope by Thomas. He also
claimed supremacy over the sees of Dorchester (Lincoln),
Worcester, and Lichfield ; Lanfranc retaliated by
throwing doubts upon the validity of the election of
both his companions, Thomas, as being the son of a
priest, and Remigius as having been guilty of simony;
and the pope deprived them both of pastoral staff and