YORKMINSTER

                                       York's Magnificent Church

            During our morning walking tour of York, England we only walked around the outside of the cathedral. At the end of the day we returned to tour the inside of this marvelous church.

            The remains of the Basilica, the ceremonial center

of the Roman fortress, have been found beneath the Minster building. The first Christian church on the site has been dated to 627 and the first Archbishop of York was recognized by the Pope in 732. A stone Saxon church survived a Viking invasion in 866, but was ransacked by William the Conqueror's forces in 1069.  This is the fourth building on this site and was built 1220 in stages until its completion in 1472. It is the largest medieval structure in England and the largest Gothic church north of the Alps.

             The Minster contains 128 stain glass windows and one half of all the stain glass in England. John Thornton created the east window in 1405-08. It is the largest stain glass window in the world. Its 117 square panes represent 1680 square feet and is the equivalent size of a tennis court! It is a unbelievably gorgeous window. Thornton’s work surely was a labor of love as his payment was 50 pounds.  The five sisters’ window, done in 1260, is the oldest window in the Minster.

            The Chapel house was built in 1280-90 and contains fine carvings and medieval glass.

            The ceiling wood in the nave is painted to resemble stone, and it sure fooled me.  On one wall, 400 year old oak figures strike a clock every fifteen minutes. The clock movements date to 1749. It is a charming clock.  The 15^th century screen is decorated with statues of fifteen kings from William I to Henry VI.

            In the Octagonal Chapter House, constructed between 1260 to 1286, the walls contain some of the Minster's finest carvings, most dating from 1270 to 1280.  The Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt are under the Cathedral and is where Roman, Norman and Viking remains can be found. The jewels of the treasury are also found there. If you desire, you can also climb the 275 steps of the Tower for  fantastic views of the city's ancient streets.      

            There are many points of interest within the Minster. It is a magnificent building, but it is absolutely worth it to take a guided tour with a docent first, then wander around on your own.