It’s Wanderlust Wednesday: Have you been to York Minster?
York Minster's Chapter House Ceiling
York Minster is the second cathedral to feature in our 7 Wonders of Britain. It is the second largest of its kind in Northern Europe and the second-highest office of the Church of England. However, it is very much a first-class Wonder.
With its origins dating back as far as the first century, beginning life as a humble, quickly constructed wooden shack for the King of Northumbria’s worship, the structure’s biography reads like a novella of Anno Domini Britain. Its tale interweaves with that of York city and features an array of characters, starring equally as antagonists and protagonists, in the Danes, the Saxons, the Norse and of course the English. During the course, the church was burned, invaded, even destroyed; such was the embattled and tumultuous nature of England at the turn of the millennia.
The church also suffered greatly at the hands of Henry VIII and The Reformation. The many treasures that had lined its walls in contemporary Catholic lavishness were looted by reformists and the following years of continued religious confrontation under the Tudors gradually took its toll on the Diocese and on the church. Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne would provide no respite either. Deciding once and for all that England would be a Protestant country, she completely eradicated the church’s Catholic roots. Elegant tombs, windows and altars all felt the newly crowned Queen’s wrath.
York again provided a backdrop for combatants during the Civil War. In 1644, the city found itself besieged by the Parliamentarians under the stewardship of Oliver Cromwell. Thankfully, the protestations of Thomas Fairfax prevented further damage to the cathedral’s magnificent Gothic architecture.
It wasn’t until the 20th century, following the ease of religious tensions, when work began on restoring and preserving the building.
It’s a busy history that’s been typical of our Wonders so far, but what continues to make this structure so emblematic of Britain?
What should Chi-chi be on the lookout for when she visits as part of her 7 Wonders of Britain tour?
If you voted for the Minster in our poll tell us why you think the Minster is a Wonder. If you’ve been, tell us what made it special to you and what we shouldn’t be missing. If you’ve visited from outside the UK tell us what you think of this typically British monument.
Send us your comments, pics and vids to us via Twitter (@7Wondersin7days), Facebook or leave a comment below.
Let us know so we can best promote this British icon alongside our seven sponsored charities.
Don’t forget, you can help promote our charities too. Get involved by entering our 7 Wonders in 7 Days competition and you could earn yourself a bottle of rum for your trouble. For more information click here.
7 Wonders in 7 Days is an ambitious fundraising challenge to see all the World’s Wonders in 7 days for seven exceptional causes: The Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Young Minds UK, Diabetes UK, Feed the Minds, Open Doors, Sport Relief/Comic Relief and the Victory Outreach Manchester.
If you’re inspired by our challenge and by our cause, please donate.
Related posts:
- Here’s what Twitter told us about York Minster
- Greats of Great Britain: What’s wonderful about York Minster
- It’s Wanderlust Wednesday: Have you been to Peterborough Cathedral?
- It’s Wanderlust Wednesday: Have you been to the White Cliffs of Dover?
- It’s Wanderlust Wednesday: Have you been to Stonehenge?
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