Friday, September 10, 2010

York, England, Part III

My first glimpse of York Minster
(It's full name: Cathedral and  Metropolitan Church of St. Peter) The Diocese of York was created in AD 314.  The first church built here was a wooden one, built in 627, in order to have a place to baptize Edwin, King of Northumbria.


York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. In the shape of a Cross, its length is 515' and its transept breadth is 240 '.


York Minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second highest office of the Church of England,  the first being the Archbishop of Canterbury.


Minster is the name given to churches established in the Anglo Saxon period as missionary teaching churches. This sculpture is on the front of the building, near the top.




Exterior sculpture - Kevin loved zooming in on these features high up on the Minster.



Taken in the nave of York Minster. This photo isn't the best quality, but it gives you an idea of the height of the building. 



The screen, 25' 8" tall,  which separates the quire from the nave, depicts fifteen kings of England. This is the left side, taken from the nave.



This is the right side, taken from the nave. It is stunningly beautiful sculpture.


Inside the choir (quire). Gus, looking up at the ceiling, 102 feet above the floor.


A tapestry hanging in one of the transepts



The Great East Window, 76 feet tall, built in the early 15th century. Its cost was £58. The top 'tracery' represents God, the Alpha and Omega, and the angels.
The 117 panels below it represent various Biblical scenes.



One of several tombs in the Minster. The smaller figures below the larger ones represent their children.




The octagonal Chapter House, completed in 1286. The Chapter House is used by the Dean and Chapter, the body of clerics formed to advise a Bishop. Each wall contains six seats, so that no one is at the center. 


Beautiful ceiling of the Chapter House



Spires of York Minster on a blustery March day

This is the last in a series of three posts on York Minster. There is so much more that I wish we had photographed. But the photos we do have take me back to the awesome experience of visiting York Minster, the Undercroft, and Crypt.


This post is linked to New Friend Fridays
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16 comments:

Caution/Lisa said...

I haven't seen the York Minster in 30 years, but your post just quickly erased every one of those years and took me right back to my own visit there. Thank-you!

Jean at The Delightful Repast said...

Judy, your photos are outstanding! They look like postcards. Just gorgeous. And I so love hearing about your trip.

Michelle said...

Wow! I love old chuches as I think I mentioned before. I've actually traveled around Europe some visiting old Churches myself back in my college days. I think the highlight of our journey was visiting Notre Dame in Paris. Can't wait to see where your travels takes us too next!

Little Mochi said...

Beautiful photos! Thank you for the virtual tour of churches I long to see in person :)

Anonymous said...

That ceiling is spectacular! Just looking at these pictures gives me a devotional thought. And that stain glass window - 72 feet - wow. I can only imagine how I'd feel during a service in place that was truly built to the Creator's glory. Thank you so much for sharing this which is why I love blogs. You get to see some mighty wonderful things.

Judy S. said...

Wonderful photos, Judy! If you've not read Edward Rutherford's series on England, I think you'd enjoy them:Sarum, London, and The Forest. He has one on Russia also.

Jill said...

Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing these! I love the one with the snow falling down....

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Jill

Mama Hen said...

I love seeing your pictures of York! You took much better pohotos then I did. I love the last one. These are fabulous. It keeps reminding me of the super time I had there. Thank you for your well wishes. I really appreciate it. It was a tough ten days and I am happy that my daughter feels better today. Have a great night!

Mama Hen

Unknown said...

Amazing! I don't think I've seen a building quite like that. All the detail....all the beauty! Thank you for the tour :)

Mama Hen said...

I love the picture of the stained glass window. Thank you for your comment today. It is a sad day and a time to remember. Have a good day my friend.

Mama Hen

Anonymous said...

In person it must just take your breath away!
That first shot is awe inspiring - magnificent.

Deborah said...

The photographs are so lovely my friend. I wish we could get in the car and drive there. The photos reflect the beauty if only in a small way.

Mama Hen said...

I gave you the Sweet Blog Award! Have a great day. Come and get it! :)

Mama Hen

Rachel said...

I love old churches! These pictures are awesome. Next time you go to England, can I come with you?? :)

Happy Sunday!
:)
Rachel

Robin said...

Love seeing your pictures...makes me want to jump on a plane....only if I could. Did you ever stop at the Wensleydalehttp://www.wensleydaleheifer.co.uk/ Heifer Pub..One of the pubs the James Wight used to go to. We had a great lunch there.

Denise said...

Wow, another very awesome tour.

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