I have usually followed Professor Willis in his account of the Minster, and my obligations to his excellent works are general and continuous.

Professor Willis made careful and extensive observations of the Crypt and other parts of the Minster during the restoration, which gave him opportunities for investigation now impossible. He also brought to these observations a learning and sagacity probably greater than those of any other writer on English Gothic Architecture, and his little book remains the standard work on the history of the Minster.

I regret that I have been unable to agree with several of the theories of that most enthusiastic and diligent writer, Mr John Browne, or even to discuss them as I should have liked; but his books must always be of great value to every one interested in the history of York. I am also indebted to Canon Raine's excellent works and compilations; to Mr Winston for his remarks on the glass in the Minster; and to Professor Freeman for his interesting criticisms of the fabric generally.

A.C.-B.


CONTENTS

[CHAPTER I.—History of the See and City]3
[CHAPTER II.—History of the Building]30
[CHAPTER III.—Description of the Exterior]47
[The West Front]48
[The North Transept]56
[The Chapter-House]60
[The Choir]61
[The South Transept]63
[The Central Tower]67
[CHAPTER IV.—Description of the Interior]68
[The Nave]68
[The Transepts]80
[The Chapter-House]93
[The Choir]98
[The Crypt]120
[The Record Room]123
[Monuments]125
[Stained Glass]133
[CHAPTER V.—The Archbishops]140

ILLUSTRATIONS

[York Minster, the West Front and Nave]Frontispiece
[Arms of the See]Title Page
[The Minster and Bootham Bar, from Exhibition Square]2
[St Mary's Abbey]9
[Bootham Bar]15
[Walmgate Bar]19, 24
[Micklegate Bar]25
[The Shambles]29
[The Minster (from an Old Print)]35
[The West Front (1810)]39
[The East End (from Britton)]43
[The West Front—Main Entrance]49
[The Exterior, from the South-East]53
[The Exterior, from the North]57
[Bay of Choir—Exterior]62
[South Transept—Porch]65
[Seal of St Mary's Abbey]67
[The Nave]69
[The Nave—South Aisle]77
[South Transept—Triforium and Clerestory]91
[Chapter-House—Entrance and Sedilia]97
[The Choir Screen]100
[The Choir, looking East]101
[Bay of Choir—Interior]103
[The Choir, looking West]107
[Compartment of Ancient Choir Stalls]110
[Compartment of Altar Screen]111
[The Choir in 1810]115
[The Virgin and Child (a Carving behind the Altar)]119
[The Crypt]121
[Capitals in Crypt]122, 123
[Effigy of Manley]125
[Effigy of Archbishop de Grey]128
[Monument of William of Hatfield]129
[Monument of Archbishop Bowet]132
[The East Window]138
[Effigy of Archbishop Savage]151
[Tomb of Archbishop Savage]152
[PLAN OF MINSTER]157