York Minster in York, England – Part 3, the Stained Glass Windows
The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a vision of heaven on earth crafted in stained glass and stone. For a millennia, people have been drawn to this sacred place but its story stretches back 2,000 years to the birth of modern day Christianity in Roman York. The cathedral has more medieval stained glass than anywhere else in the country. In 2018, for the first time in nearly a decade, visitors are able to see one of its most famous works of art – the Great East Window – revealed following a decade-long restoration and conservation project. (I got my photos before the restoration began.) York Minster’s Central Tower is the highest point in York and offers unbeatable, panoramic views of the city.
The first recorded church on the site was a wooden structure built hurriedly in 627 to provide a place to baptise Edwin, King of Northumbria. A stone structure was completed in 637 by Oswald and was dedicated to Saint Peter. In 741, the church was destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt as a more impressive structure containing thirty altars. It was damaged in 1069, destroyed in 1075 and rebuilt in the Norman style. It was damaged again in 1137 and remodeled in 1154. In 1220 construction of a Gothic structure began, and continued into the 15th century. The cathedral was declared complete and consecrated in 1472. It was subject to looting and destruction following the English Reformation, and it was ravaged by several fires in the 1800s. From 1858 Augustus Duncombe worked successfully to revive the cathedral. During the 20th century there was more concerted preservation work, especially following a 1967 survey that revealed the building, in particular the central tower, was close to collapse. The cathedral was hit by a serious fire in 1984, but repair and restoration was completed in 1988. In 2007 a big renovation project was initiated and this was completed in 2018. Enough history – now to the pictures.
DSC_0264.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
DSC_0268.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
DSC_0285ax.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
DSC_0304.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
DSC_0348.jpg by
David Casteel, on Flickr
(I apologize, because I didn’t get as many photographs of the windows as usual.)
There are 4 parts to this set: Part 1 is of the Exterior and major Interior features; Part 2 is of the Organ; Part 3 (this part) is of the Stained Glass; and Part 4 includes some additional Interior views.
Part 1:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669565-1.html#11653198Part 2:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669567-1.html#11653203Part 4:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669570-1.html#11653227
NMGal wrote:
Very intricate.
Thanks. I appreciate you coming.
Doddy
Loc: Barnard Castle-England
Yes David, that medieval glass is a sight to behold. Nice shots.
angler and Doddy, thanks for the nice comments. I do love the old windows.
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