Dr John Jenkins from York University looked at the fortuitous medieval ecclesiastical and state power broking going on at the time that fast tracked John de Thwing, just a lowly Prior at the Bridlington Augustinian Priory, to sainthood only 22 years after his death in 1379.

Dr Jenkins said the three basics were an attested story of your life, a list of your miracles, and a bag of cash. You needed to be a good and holy person, be popular, have powerful institutional backing, and have royal and finally papal support.

He explored each of these requirements in detail as they related to John de Thwing. He included how his early life friendships, the papal schism, and a clerical strike at Beverley all proved beneficial.  Even the ousting of Richard II by Henry IV did no harm. John de Thwing in his lifetime was regarded by the young Henry as a mentor.

Finally Dr Jenkins made the point that St John of Bridlington was not, as is often said, the last English saint canonised before the reformation. This honour goes to St Osmund of Salisbury who was so honoured in 1457, but he had to wait 358 years after his death.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Sal Cooke OBE.