121. SANCTUARY SEDILIA

Leaving the quire, we proceed up to the sanctuary. On our right are three sedilia – seats set aside for the clergy’s use during services. These sedilia have a fine golden decoration above.     PLAN

122. SANCTUARY

The sanctuary of York Cathedral is large but simple in design. Two large golden candlesticks stand in the foreground, and behind is a large altar bearing a crucifix and six candlesticks. The altar is surrounded, back and sides, by a curtained screen. We catch a glimpse of the Great East Window behind it.

123. ALTAR AND ICON

The icon is of the disciple St Peter, identified by name and by the Keys of the Kingdowm which he is holding. We notice that the high altar is designed for the priest to stand in front, rather than behind. This practice led to the Vatican II decision in the 1960s to introduce a nave altar closer to the congregation with a facing priest.

124. ALTAR AND CROSS

We have some more of York Minster to explore, but there is a sense in which this is the culmination of our investigation. For Christ is the focus of the Christian faith and the Cathedral – the One who died in our place, and who lives today that we might share His new life.

125. COLUMN SENTINELS

The columns around the sanctuary have decorated capitals, including various faces peering down curiously.

126. CRYPT

York Minster has two separate subterranean chambers, and we have seen both entrances. We first go to the entrance of the crypt in the North quire aisle.

127. OLD ROMAN BUILDING

At the bottom of the steps we face Eastwards onto this long space which stretches between the two quire aisles. This is a very old part of the Minster, and the supporting columns are distinctly Roman in character. We notice in particular the two small sculptures on the wall opposite.

128. CRYPT DETAILS

The statue at left shows St Anne teaching the young Virgin Mary to read. Nearby, under a protective cover, is the footing for an old Roman column. The Doomstone – the famous 12th century limestone picture of hell is a relief which shows a cauldron into which the damned souls are being pushed and tortured. And there are several decorated Roman columns.

129. ST WILLIAM TOMB

Inside the Western crypt under the choir, is an ancient sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of St William. The surrounding barrel vault dates from the rediscovery of this part of the crypt in the 1830s.

130. UNDERCROFT

From the South transept there are steps down to the Undercroft. York Minster is the only cathedral in the country to have an accredited museum, following the development of its ‘Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft’ attraction in 2013.

131. UNDERCROFT PASSAGE

The new state-of-the-art attraction is housed in interactive chambers beneath the Minster and allows visitors to explore 2000 years of history at the cathedral’s site, from its Roman past to its present day custodians.

132. CROSS AND PROCESSIONAL CROSS

There is a great variety in the displayed exhibits in the Undercroft. On display are these two crosses. The notice reads: This processional cross which is carried at every principal service was given to the Minster in 1902 by Mr C. M. Forbes. The design by Sir Walter Tapper, is based on that of an Abyssinian cross given to Westminster Abbey in 1902. ...

133. OLD FOUNDATIONS

The undercroft displays archaeological finds from the 1967 repair of the Minster’s foundations, including both Roman and Norman ruins. Also down here is the treasury, featuring 11th-century artifacts and relics from the graves of medieval archbishops.

134. ECCLEISASTICAL VESTMENTS

A portion of the Undercroft is set apart for the display of various ecclesiatical vestments such as copes and chasubles.     

135. OLD DOCUMENTS

This cabinet contains old documents: Tables belonging to the Medieval Vicars’ Choral, Missal from the mid-1400s used in York to celebrate the Mass, and Music written for the Mystery Plays.

136. MEMORIAL ROSES, AND PLAN

The roses relate to the First World War and the part played by York Minster and its congregation. At right is an old and colourful illuminated plan of the Minster. We return to the South transept.

137. CLIMBING THE TOWER

Our final investigation of York Minster will be climbing the central tower. From the Southwest corner of the South transept, a spiral staircase brings us out through the corner turret to this view, looking out to the Western towers.     

138. FLYING BUTTRESSES

Flying buttresses are a characteristic of Gothic architecture, and there are plenty on show here. The heavily weighted pinnacles are another device for redirecting the forces at play – these directing the forces straight down the wall butresses.

139. TRANSEPT WALKWAY

A walkway leads along the roofline of the transept from the corner turret to the corner of the central tower. We are high above the ground, but there is no feeling of insecurity. Arriving at the tower we enter a door and climb up a further but very narrow spiral staircase. I find this one quite claustrophobic.

140. TOP OF THE TOWER

We arrive at the top of the central tower, with views out in every direction. Looking out along the axis of the Cathedral to West and East gives a sense of scale, and of wonder at the achievement of the builders. We can also pick out various details of the construction, such as the East transept, and the various turrets.    

141. THE CHAPTER HOUSE

Finally, looking down in a Northerly direction, we see the octagonal chapter house and its link to the North transept. What a wonderful experience this has been! This completes our tour of York Minster.