34 
THE TREASURER’S HOUSE, YORK. 
The situation was a favourite one from the very earliest 
times, as the remains of some classic columns and the founda¬ 
tions of walls, etc., were uncovered, and are supposed to be 
in situ : it is imagined that they formed part of the Imperial 
Palace which is known to have stood between Aldwark and 
the Minster, the level being some twelve feet lower than the 
present ground floor. 
The first house was probably burnt in the great fire of 1137 
(which destroyed not only the Minster and thirty-nine churches, 
but the whole town), and was rebuilt by John le Roman in the 
reign of Edward I. 
To this Treasurer is attributed the building of the house on 
the present scale. 
Amongst the Treasurers is to be noted William, the patron 
saint of the adjoining St. William’s College, of whom many 
miracles are recorded, one being that on his entry into the 
City in the year 1154, the crowds were so great that Ouse 
Bridge (then a wooden structure) collapsed, and all fell into 
the river, but by the prayers of St. William not one perished. 
The official duties of Treasurer consisted of the care of the 
Treasury, the fabric of the Minster, and the proper control of 
all persons in the Minster; but with regard to anything arising 
in the Choir he had no jurisdiction whatever, this being settled 
by the Dean and Chapter. He also supplied lights to the 
Altars, took care of the valuable Copes and other costly 
vestments then belonging to the Church. 
The value of the Treasurership is quaintly put in the records 
as £233 06 08. 
In the King’s Books, first fruits - £220 00 .00 
Tenths - - - - £ 23 06 08 
The office became extinct in the reign of Henry VIII., the 
last Treasurer being William Clyffe, who in the year 1538 
resigned his dignities, demesnes, manors, and advowsons to 
the King, his reason for so doing being an unanswerable one— 
Abrcpto omni thesauro, desiit thesauvavii munus, which may be 
interpreted : “ Being plundered of all its treasure, it had no 
further need of a Treasurer.” 
