Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 33
commercial privileges, as marts, where foreigners might
find the commodities of the country in abundance ; and of
these towns York was the second. In the following reign
the celebrated Wolsey was created archbishop of this
province ; being at the same time cardinal, legate of the
Pope, Lord Chancellor of England, prime minister of state,
Bishop of Durham and Winchester ; and with those offices
holding the abbeys of St. Albans and Lincoln, divers prio
ries and other great benefices in commendam; also the
bishoprics of Bath, Worcester, and Hereford, in farm. It
was aptly enough written—
Begot by butchers, but by bishops bred,
How high his honour holds his haughty head !*
Cardinal Wolsey, however, never entered his Cathedral at
York ; although he once reached Cawood, about ten miles
distant, from whence he was abruptly summoned by the
king ; and never was installed.
The reign of Henry VIII. was memorable for the impor
tant ecclesiastical changes which was effected in all parts
of the kingdom. The suppression of the abbeys and
monasteries—in its immediate effects—operated injuriously
uponYork ; for the city contained a large numberofwealthy
and powerful communities that were thereby dislodged
and dispersed.
Indeed the suppression of the monasteries turned so
many adrift on the world, that an insurrection broke out
in Yorkshire, and both York and Hull were captured by
the rebels ; which insurrection, however, was speedily
put down by the Duke of Norfolk. The effect of these
changes will best be estimated, by enumerating the abbeys,
hospitals, and chapels, which existed in York before the
reformation :—
ABBEYS, PRIORIES, MONASTERIES, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS
HOUSES.
1. The Abbey of St. Mary; Black Friars, or Benedictines.
2. The Abbey of St. Augustine.
* This is one of the most perfect specimens of alliteration to be met with.