york00orns

ALCUIN.—CANONS OF YORK. 89
of the foremost scholars of his days, the learned and
accomplished Alcuin, who speaks in glowing terms in
a [)oem written in after years, " De Pontificibus &C.
Ecclesia; Eboracensis," of Egbert's gracious manner,
of his sedulous discharge of every holy office, of his
loving adornment of the great mother Church of his
diocese, and his reverential care for the stately services
which were solemnised within its walls. " He
is said to have been the first prelate who possessed a
mint at York." His efforts in all good works were
not a little facilitated by the accession of his brother
Eadbert in 738 to the throne of Northumbria.
Egbert resigned the see in 757, and ended his days
in the quiet haven of a monastic retreat on the
19th Nov., 766.
He was succeeded by Albert, " in compliance," we
are told, "with the wishes of the people." He ably
carried on the work which had so long prospered in
his predecessor's hands. He was consecrated on the
24th April, 767, and received the pall from Pope
.\drian in 773. He retained the services of the illustrious
Alcuin as his coadjutor in the noble work of the
great school which had already gained so wide a reputation.
Alcuin was appointed by the archbishoj)
as one of the canons of the Minster, and as the
magister sdiolarum.
As this is the first mention we have of the canons
of the Church of York, a few words may be said
respecting the commencement of a foundation which
has survived with unbroken continuity down to our
own day.
The Minster of York had no monastic body