Note 1309 — Chapter X · THE REIGN OF EADWARD FROM THE DEATH OF THE ÆTHELING TO THE DEATH OF THE KING.[1258] 1057–1066.

Fl. Wig. 1060. “Wigornensis episcopus Aldredus ad archiepiscopatum in Nativitate Domini eligitur.” It may perhaps be thought that such speed is impossible, and that “eligitur” must be taken of a capitular election at York on Christmas-Day, which would be confirmed by the King and his Witan at some later Gemót. We have certainly heard of capitular elections thus confirmed or rejected, in one case at Durham (vol. i. p. 565) and in one case at Canterbury (see above, p. 119); but the grant of the Bishoprick of Hereford to Walter is so clearly connected with the promotion of Ealdred to York that we must suppose the two to have taken place in the same Assembly. I do not know why “eligere” may not be said of the Witan as well as of the Chapter; or, if any one pleases, it is quite possible that enough members of the Church of York may have been present in the Gemót to go through a canonical election at Gloucester, which the King and his Witan would at once confirm.