Following the very enjoyable talk Paul Medforth gave us back in November on the Stained Glass of York Minster, we were invited to go round the Minster with him and learn more of its other secrets and treasures. Nineteen members went in to York on a lovely sunny Spring day and enjoyed a meal together afterwards in the café opposite.
Highlights of Paul’s tour included: the dragons, ancient and incongruous but which, once he had mentioned them, we kept noticing everywhere, the vastness of the space and, of course, the fantastic windows – certainly the newly restored East window and the Five Sisters window, which, with five lancets, is the largest expanse of 13th century grey and green “grisaille” glass in the world and which they hope to be able to afford to restore one day. The very knowledgeable guide was, with a flashlight, able to show areas not usually seen, such as the detail on the bosses on the roof and the “semaphore saints” above the West door – a new addition from 2004 showing that, even in an ancient building, they can reflect modern tastes and times ( perhaps a lesson here for some NT properties?)
Paul detailed three of the five Minster fires that have beset the Minster from 1753 to 1984:
February 1829 – Jonathan Martin set fire to the choir stalls using torn up hymn books as a protest against the Anglican church, but was found not guilty on grounds of insanity.
1840 – A candle, left unattended, caused fire damage to the south Nave.
9th July 1984 – Amajor fire in the south transept caused serious damage to the Rose Window and roof; the likely cause was lightning.
It was a very detailed guided tour but provided a memorable experience. The large mirror reflecting the ceiling bosses was a boon. How wonderful that the Minster also works as a training ground for new craftsmen and can showcase new skills alongside the medieval ones.