SELBY ABBEY AND ITS BUILDERS. 
37 
found a vessel bound for York, which had been waiting for 15 
days for a favourable wind, but as soon as Benedict joined the 
vessel the wind sprang up, and we may assume that it was not 
long before the River Ouse was reached. On approaching Selby 
Benedict at once recognised the place as pointed out to him by 
St. Germanus in his dream, and along with his companions and 
sailors disembarked. Benedict explored the country on all sides 
and found it a pleasant spot. He then built a cottage, and devoted 
himself to religious duties. 
Eventually he was able to enlist the powerful support of Hugh, 
the Norman Governor of York, who promised his support, counsel 
and protection. Hugh also promised to build a church, and 
workmen were sent from York to do so. The governor found 
buildings had been already erected on land belonging to the king, 
so that Benedict had to accompany Hugh to William the 
Conqueror to obtain the grants mentioned in the Charter of 
Foundation. 
The foundation of the Monastery at Selby by William the 
Conqueror m 1069—three years after the Conquest—is an incident 
worthy of note, because it is the only Abbey founded by William 
in the North of England. He, along with his Queen, Maud, 
stayed there, and their fourth son, afterwards Henry I., was born 
at Selby. 
The Royal Charter is published in “ Dugdale’s Monasticon," 
being copied from the original in 1620. The document is undated, 
as is frequently the case with early charters prior to the reign of 
Henry III. (1216). It is in Latin, and the following is an extract 
—in English—from this interesting document/" 
It begins:— 
“ In the name of the Holy and indivisible Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost. Amen. William, the bravest and most powerful of all Kings, by 
whom at this time royal sceptres are swayed under heaven, governing the 
great realm of England, which, by permission and will of God, first by signs 
and wonders, and after, by great power and war overcoming the English, 
to Holy Church, as well as to his earls and barons, and all his ministers, 
greeting. By the Providence of God’s divine pity, and by my own good¬ 
ness, inspired by the mercy of God, I have granted leave to Benedict, a 
most pious abbot, who has devoutly requested it, to build in Selby a 
Monastery in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his most blessed 
mother the Virgin Mary, and of St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre. In which 
foundation I have comprised, and of my royal munificence have set apart 
and given from my own table, Selby itself,” &c., &c. 
^Morrell’s “ History of Selby,” p. 33. 
