At the West Front, where the visitors’ entrance can be found today, is a 1990’s version of an original Genesis cycle decorating the ceremonial doors. God’s hand wraps around the globe in his first act of creation and then encircles Adam and Eve. Noah is there too releasing a dove of peace from the Ark. Alongside are other Old Testament stories. The Minster stonemasons worked up Rory Young’s design to replace the original limestone images eroded by centuries of damp and frost.
In Dean’s Park on the ruined cloister which early Archbishops would have passed through on the route to their private chapel (now the Minster Library) there is a memorial specific to the 1944 battle of Kohima where 4,000 British and Indian soldiers perished so saving the route to India the Japanese were targeting.
Beyond the Park, a stone statue liberated from the Great East Window has pride of place in the garden of Gray’s Court. In 1408 the figure identified as St. Peter would have been sighted above the Gothic arch of the window holding the keys to heaven but he was unrecognisable when conservation on his window began after the millennium!
Once inside the Minster catch up with the memorial to Archbishop Richard Sterne in the North Quire aisle. Grinling Gibbons is remembered as a celebrated woodcarver but he started his career apprenticed to a stonemason and the detail on this work is exquisite.
On the Pulpitum why is King Stephen the only King without full robes? Maybe the stone carvers 300 years later recalled the challenge from his cousin Matilda that resulted in a civil war for the succession?
In the Chapter House built by 1290 and now the only structurally sound part of the entire cathedral, you can get glimpses of how medieval York would not have been a lot different on a Saturday night to the York of today! These two men have maybe had too much to drink and got into a fight!
Article contributed by Blue Badge Guide, Louise Fawn: https://yorkshiresbestguides.co.uk/project/louise-fawn/
