(John of), in Latin Joannes Beverlaeius, archbishop of York in the eighth century, was born of a noble family, at Harpham, in Northumberland, and was justly esteemed one of the best scholars of his time. He was first a monk, and afterwards abbot of the monastery of St Hilda, when his merit recommended him to the favour of Alfred king of Northumberland, who, in the year 685, advanced him to the see of Haguitald, or Hexham, and, in 687, translated him to the archbishopric of York. This prelate was tutor to the famous Bede; and lived in the strictest friendship with Acea and other Anglo-Saxon doctors, several of whom he engaged to write comments on the Holy Scriptures. In 704, he founded a college at Beverley, for secular priests; and after he had governed the see of York 34 years, being tired of the tumults and confusions that prevailed in the church, divested himself of his episcopal character, and retired to Beverley; where he died four years after, on the 5th of May, 721.—Bede and other monkish writers ascribe several miracles to him. Between 300 and 400 years after his death, his body was taken up by Alfric archbishop of York, and placed in a shrine richly adorned with silver, gold, and precious stones; and in 1416, the day of his death was, by a synod held at London, appointed a festival. We are told that William the Conqueror, when he ravaged Northumberland with a numerous army, spared Beverley alone, out of a religious veneration for St John of that place. This prelate wrote some pieces, which are mentioned by Bale and Pits, viz. 1. Pro Luca exponenda. 2. Homilia in Evangelia. 3. Epistle ad Hildam Abbatisam. 4. Epistle ad Herebaldum, Andenum, et Bertinum.