Church / Cathedral / MonasteryYork Minster

[Newfloridian, 24.09.2006] York Minster is declared the "largest" Gothic church "north of the Alps". The author notes that the site "probably" started as the "wooden chapel" where King Edwin was baptized in 627. "Several" cathedrals have appeared since then, including "an imposing" Norman structure. The "present" minster was started in 1220 and "completed" 250 years later. 76 metres "across the transepts" and 163 metres in length, it houses the "largest collection" of "medieval" stained glass. He documents several disasters in the minster's history. The central tower was "reconstructed" in 1420 after a "partial collapse". The nave was "severely damaged by fire" in 1840 and was restored with a "new peal of bells". The south transcept roof was also "destroyed" in a fire in 1984. He lists the "star sights" as the Choir Screen (a fifteenth century "stone" screen which depicts "kings of England" and has a "canopy of angels") and the Chapter House (the "wooden vaulted" entrance bears a Latin inscription). The western towers have "decorative panelling" and "elaborate" pinnacles. There is also a page of illustrations of the stained glass in the minster including the Great East window, which is the size of a "tennis court".

(Page 392-3, 395)

(Eyewitness Travel Guide Great Britain
Publisher: Dorland Kindersley Ltd 1995)