Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODEEN YOEK. 97
promised to the archbishop other lands in lieu of them,
and so the business ceased for a time.
In 1088, King "William II. coming to York, and visiting
the new monastery, found it too straitened and narrow
for the reception of the convent ; he accordingly projected
a larger, and with his own hand opened the ground to lay
a new church, dedicated to St. Mary. The immunities
and privileges granted to this monastery by William Rufus
and his successors, kings of England, were very great.
Upon the death of an abbot, the convent was to have
the power of electing a successor. In case the sheriff or
his officers had any complaint against the men of St. Ma
ry's, they were first to acquaint the abbot therewith, and,
at an appointed time, to come to the gates of the abbey,
and their receive justice and right. The " homines sanctae
Marise," moreover were exempt from attendance at the
county courts, as well as at the meetings of the ridings,
wapentakes, and hundreds. King Henry II., by his char
ter, granted in the time of Abbot Savarinus, confirmed
the privileges specified in the charter of William II.;
adding to them certain liberties and customs which had
before been peculiar to the churches of St. Peter at York
and St. John of Beverley; ordaining also, that when the
men of the county were summoned to serve in the king's
army, the abbot of this monastry should find a man to
carry the standard or banner of St. Mary, in the same
manner as other churches sent their banners. Other con
firmations by " Inspeximus," were granted by Kings Henry
III., Edward I., Edward II., Edward III, Richard II.,
Henry IV., Henry V., Henry VI., Henry VII., and even
by Henry VIII. ; who, by a large charter, confirmed all
those liberties to the convent at first, which he afterwards
took from them. The abbot of St. Mary's, York, was
mitred and had a seat in parliament, whence he was always
called Lord Abbot. He and the abbot of Selby were the
only abbots in the north of England who had this privi
lege. Whenever he went abroad either by land or water,