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YORK.
of York.
Reinfrid went to Whitby, where he gathered
a community together about 1078, and obtained permission
from William de Percy to occupy the site and
precincts of the ancient monastery there. Here he was
joined by Stephen, afterwards abbot of York. On
Reinfrid's death many of the brethren were desirous
of electing Stephen as their superior, but this was
overruled by the Percy family, through whose powerful
influence Serlo de Percy became prior.
Stephen then
retired from Whitby, and with the assistance of Alan,
Earl of Richmond, commenced the reconstruction of
the abbey at York, a work which was sanctioned by
Archbishop Thomas. To this monastery land was
afterwards given by William Rufus, who laid the
foundation stone of a new building in 1089, and
changed the dedication of the church from St. Olave's,
which had been given by its first founder Siward,
to that of St. Mary, by which it was ever after
known.
Such was the humble origin of the great Benedictine
houses which, after the conquest, arose in
Yorkshire. Those three lowly monks were the real
restorers of the rule of the great St. Benedict in
Northumbria.
The great Abbey of Selby was a royal foundation.
It was endowed by the Conqueror, and its buildings
commenced during his lifetime. St. Mary's Abbey
and that of Selby were the greatest of the Benedictine
houses in Yorkshire, and the only two mitred
abbeys north of Trent.
The Conqueror's policy made him secure of having
the support of the Church as well as of the baronage,