York Minster Travel Information |
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York Minster
A profile of York Minster, highlighting history, architecture, and visitor information. |
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 Looking up the nave from the west end |
Before you is the Quire, fronted by an elaborate screen. We'll return to the Quire later, but for now turn right and pass down the south aisle towards the east end of the Minster. The aisle is lined with monuments to nobles and churchmen of old. Outside the south door of the Quire is an exceptionally large 13th century cope chest with wonderful strapwork on the exterior. The wedge shape of the chest gives a clue to its use. It was used to store "copes" or ceremonial vestments which were circular in shape, and formed a wedge shape when folded for storage.
Across the aisle take in the memorial to Archbishop Lamplugh (1615-1691), designed by Grinling Gibbons. This is just one of the numerous superb tombs you'll see; most are post-medieval, but many dating from the late Tudor period are worth noting for the painted effegies of family members. A few examples can be seen in the photos below.
The East end is dominated by the Great East Window. Though somewhat dwarfed by comparison, the east end also features 3 chapels; the Lady Chapel, used for small services, St. Stephen's Chapel, and All Saints chapel, the official chapel of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
 The 5 Sisters, north transept |
More tombs and memorials await in the north aisle. Don't miss the delightful carved cherub on the tomb of Archbishop Sterne (d. 1683). As you approach the north transept you'll find the highly decorated 14th century tomb of Prince Wiliam of Hatfield, son of Edward III and Phillipa of Hainault. The unfortunate prince died at 10 years old, and is buried beneath this canopied tomb.
Move past the tomb into the north transept, which is dominated by the quintuple lancet windows known as The 5 Sisters. These windows, completed in 1250, contain over 100,000 individual pieces of glass. They reach to a height of 16.2 metres, and each window is 1.5 mtres wide. A mechanical clock on the east side of the transept features two figures of knights who strike the quarter hours by striking each other! A short passage from the transept leads to the Chapter House.
Returning to the nave, continue towards the west end. The large west window dates from 1339, and is built in the then popular Curvilinear style.
click on an image to see a large version
Photo Gallery - York Minster Nave
 The Great East Window rising above the Lady Chapel |
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 A cherub on the tomb of Archbishop Sterne (Archbishop from 1664-1683) |
 Late 17th century tomb of Archbishop Lamplugh, carved by Grinling Gibbons |
Tomb of Archbishop Savage (Archbishop of York from 1501-1507) |
 Carved surface of a cope chest, where ceremonial garments were stored. |
 The north aisle |
 Great East Window - stained glass detail |
 Tomb carvings, north aisle |
 The 14th century tomb of Prince William of Hatfield. |
 Two armed figures strike the quarter hours of this mechanical clock |
Images are © Dean and Chapter of York: reproduced by kind permission
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