I'm excited that we are going into the York Minster and see the largest medieval Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe! It's a long line to enter this beautiful house of worship. We did not get to the worship service in time, so we are going in to visit this afternoon. I'm thrilled to be able to view this gorgeous cathedral!
The full title of the York Minster is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York.
York Minster's 128 windows hold more than half of England's medieval stained glass.
Minster is an Old English word, which means either "monastery" or "mission church". York Minster was never a monastery, but was originally founded by a missionary bishop, St Paulinus, in AD 627. Not all cathedrals are minsters and not all minsters are cathedrals, but the York Minster is both!
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| Thanks Be to God |
I feel a quiet calm as we step into this beautiful house of worship. The York Minster is a living church which all are welcome to join. Music is an important part of worship here. The sound in this magnificent cathedral is chillingly beautiful.
My eyes are immediately drawn the stunning vaulted ceiling!
Let's look around at this glorious cathedral's gorgeous stained glass windows! I am in AWE!
The West Window contains the "Heart of Yorkshire" constructed in 1338.
The Rose Window is located in the south transept.
The York Minster is shaped as all cathedrals are in the shape of The Cross. The west end of the cross is the Nave up to the east end. The arms of the cross are the north and south transepts.
Five Sister's Window is in the north transept. Each lancet is about 52 ft high!
The Great East Window has been under renovation for a few years now. A facsimile is located behind the Orb. The Great East Window contains medieval glass. The York Glaziers Trust takes care of all of the stained glass in the Minster. You can read more about it Here
The King's Screen
Seeing the people in this photo points out the enormity of the York Minster! The King's Screen dates from the 15th century. It contains sculptures of the kings of England from William the Conqueror to Henry the VI. Above the screen is the organ that dates from 1832.
When we planned our trip to England I was hoping to hear the wonderful bells of the York Minster and we were treated to that lovely sound as we left the Minster! Go here to hear The York Minster Bells Bells I can tell you I'll never forget this beautiful sound or the beauty of the York Minster! ♥
Wow. I am almost speechless. What beautiful photography, and a 'potted' history of one of northern Europe's most magnificent cathedrals. The cathedrals of the northern Renaissance leave me in awe and York Minster is one of the finest indeed. So sorry you missed the service of worship, for I know you would have enjoyed it. Next time, then?
ReplyDeleteI always wonder how much more magnificent the English and Welsh cathedrals would have looked before Oliver Cromwell let loose ~~~ just imagine all those walls, columns, and pillars richly painted in glittering gold and other colours, glimmering mysteriously in the countless candles that provided the light before electricity. Just imagine!
~~~Deb xoxo
Deb, we knew there was no way we could attend the worship service with the drive we had before and after visiting the Minster! Yes, one day I would so love to do that! I have tears just imagining...I personally can't imagine these cathedrals being more magnificent--but of course it's amazing the Minster still stands after having canon balls come through the stained glass and no music and singing allowed and the organ dismantled--Oliver Cromwell had his agenda-oh my!
DeleteThank you for sharing my joy at the York Minster! xoxo ♥
What a feast for the eyes and ears! I'm listening to the bells with the organ music in the background. I feel as though I'm there. Isn't it amazing what man is capable of building--and without modern tools.
ReplyDeleteIt was a feast indeed, Cathy! The York Minster will always hold a special place in my heart. Restoration work on the cathedral is done by craftsman that still use similar tools of long ago. Of course they have at the ready modern tools if needed. ♥
DeleteI've always wanted to visit the York Minster and now I get a peek. What beauty! Thanks for taking us along, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I hope you get to see it in person, Amalia. It's just magnificent! xo ♥
DeleteIt boggles my mind to realize how such beauty was created. The time, the tools, and the talents that were needed to build such a wonder. Thanks for sharing and have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Joan! How in the world did they build such a masterpiece so long ago? Thanks for sharing my trip with me! ♥
DeleteLOL. That is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading your descriptions and looking at the pictures. All hand tools and no machinery more complex than ropes and pulleys. Incredible.
DeleteSo true,Noel, of many of the ancient wonders of the world--just mind boggling! ♥
DeleteHow amazing it must have been to hear the organ in that setting. No wonder you were in awe!
ReplyDeleteVee, it was emotional for me being there--Emotional in a good way! ♥
DeleteHeartfelt thanks, Martha Ellen, for sharing the wondrous York Minster with us! I can't even imagine the gentle light passing through 128 beautiful stained glass windows. Just hearing the bells ring made tears in my eyes. Over the years, I have been so blessed to visit many, many beautiful cathedrals throughout Europe in my travels. I truly hope to visit the York Minster one day. Your beautiful photos and amazing facts about the Minster have left such an impression on me, Martha Ellen! I can't thank you enough! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Dawn! Grayden and I have been to many cathedrals in Europe also and the York Minster is on par with many of them! I do hope you one day get to York to see all of its glory! The bells of the cathedrals in Europe always send shivers up my spine! It always makes me emotional. I'm so happy to have you here sharing my Joy! ♥
DeleteOh my, what a grand and beautiful church! All the stained glass windows really add something special to this special place. When Nel and Jess travel, they often go to mass in the old historic churches, and Nel's favorite are the gothic looking ones, just like this church. I can't believe how tall the ceilings are! wow, part of this was constructed in 1338, that's amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these pictures with us, Martha Ellen. It was very interesting to me because I'm Catholic, and we have some very old cathedrals as well.
~Sheri
Sheri, the York Minster is an amazing church! There has been a Christian church on this site since 627AD! Can you imagine? It took 250 years to complete most of the cathedral and was Catholic off and on and now is High-Anglican. It was built between 1220 and 1472---All of this is mind boggling to me! ♥
DeleteThe age and longevity of so many of the buildings that you saw continues to impress me. Here in the U.S., an "old" building is one hundred years old...or even two hundred! These are just "babies" compared to the structures that you saw in England!
ReplyDeleteWe are such a young nation, Cheryl. It's mind boggling to me that the York Minster has survived so many centuries of war and challenges. I get goosebumps thinking about it! ♥
DeleteAWESOME! 1338, so incredible to witness this historic place... I love the medieval time period, in fact, it is enthralling. Have you ever read Pillars of the Earth? It is all about the building of a magnificent cathedral such as this. AMazing to know that these buildings were created without all the equipment of modernity and made to last for hundreds of years. I cannot think of any structures created in the last 75 years that compare with the sheer beauty and magnificence of these masterpieces. I love the screen of Kings statues, some of them are my ancestors!
ReplyDeleteThe wonder and magnificence of the York Minster has left a permanent place in my heart, Jeri! I have read Ken Follet's book. I want to read his other book World Without End where he said he went to the York Minster for research. Of course we must not fantisize about the heartache and despair that went on during the building of these magnificent structures. You know I can't help but think we humans never change. All this fighting about religion---so sad.
DeleteNow you must tell which King you are descended from! ♥
I didn't read "World Without End", but I did watch the 9 part series, really good! My ancestors, if I can remember correctly: William the Conqueror, and 4 of the Plantagenet Kings, Henry the !st 2nd and 3rd and the bad King John Lackland. My brother in law is a genealogist, I have charts and charts of family tree. The Queens are actually as interesting as the Kings. I always had a fascination with British History, then I found out I had good reason to be so interested!
DeleteOh dear Jeri or should I say your Royal Highness--Wow---My roots to England are not as grand as yours! My ancestor came over from Portsmouth in 1610 on the Sea Venture. How lucky you are to have such wonderful information so far back!!! ♥
DeleteOMGoodness! Those pictures are just frame-worthy. What a wonderful trip, you lucky girl. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana. Recalling this trip on this blog makes me realize that it was real. It was wonderful. Nice to see you today--I hope you are doing well. xo ♥
Deletewhen next I go to England, I'm printing your blog as my travelogue...it's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWell Sandra, you just made my day! This trip left a great impression on me. Thank you for sharing my excitement! xo ♥
DeleteYour photos give a good glimpse into a magnificent cathedral though I'm sure there is nothing quite like being there. Thanks for the link to the bells. How special that you were able to hear them just as you left. Here in our country we don't know what "old" is, as Cheryl said. Th 1300s--that's old!
ReplyDeleteIt was an awe inspiring place of worship, Dotsie! The bells gave us goosebumps! Everything so ancient and still intact--AMAZING! ♥
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