york00orns

GEORGE NEVILLE. 201
those who were connected with any of the great
famihes who happened to have powerful court interest
or influence. Whilst yet a boy of only fourteen he
had a papal dispensation to enable him to hold a
canonry at Salisbury as well as a stall at York. At
three-and-twenty he was appointed Bishop of Exeter,
the pope issuing a bull which enabled him to receive
the income of his bishopric during the period which
elapsed between his nomination and his attaining
canonical age for consecration. He became Archbishop
of York in 1464, and will always be remembered
in connection with the extraordinary feast
which he gave to celebrate his enthronization. Godwin
gives the bill of fare, which is certainly a curiosity
in its way, so multifarious are the viands, so profusely
are the dishes multiplied. Geese, capons, mallard,
and teal are counted by thousands, as are likewise
the venison pasties, and the dishes of jellies, tarts,
and custards. He details also the names of the great
lords and ladies, prelates, and chief estates of the
kingdom, who were entertained by this magnificent
Primate of the North, and the arrangement of the
tables at which they sat in the proper gradations of
their several ranks and dignities.
During his episcopate the see of York was abridged
of a large part of its ancient jurisdiction. St. Andrew's
in Scotland was made an archiepiscopal see by Pope
Sixtus IV., with twelve suffragan sees dependent upon
it. The Tweed henceforward became the northern
boundary of the Province of York. Neville strenuously
resisted this arrangement, but the pope was
strong enough to carry his
point.