Rare treasures from York Minster's collection to weave a tale of city's history

Now, a new exhibition is to explore centuries of York’s creativity and culture in illuminating the hidden gems in this collection for the public to enjoy.

There is a cache of stained- glass riches, ancient manuscripts and grave goods, as well as a copy of the city’s first newspaper.

And in exploring this rich tapestry, the exhibition, which opens tomorrow, aims additionally to celebrate the stories of the very artists and craftspeople who first created them.

“York Minster is custodian to a diverse collection of objects, many of which were made in York and which tell the stories of the cathedral, the city and the Christian faith in the north of England,” said Helen Rawson, the head of heritage at the cathedral.

“Since its foundation in AD627, the Minster has commissioned items to support its devotional and educational missions while collecting material and manuscripts in its library and archives which detail the city’s history and development.”

In the Middle Ages, York was heralded as an important centre of glass-painting, with the Minster’s windows housing the largest collection of in-situ medieval stained glass across the whole of Britain.

Within the upcoming exhibition, there is to be a feature of “displaced” pieces of this glittering glass, collected over centuries from different phases of the Minster’s conservation and repair.

Most prized within this will be a 12th century stained panel, one of the oldest surviving glass pieces from across Europe, which is intricately decorated with colourful leaves and foliage.

The exhibition also features a silver chalice and paten dating from the 13th century, which were discovered in the grave of Archbishop Sewal de Bovill along with a golden ring.

And with silver and gold having been used throughout history in religious ceremonies and the most prestigious occasions in the city, these precious metals will also play a part.

There is a collection shaped in York from at least the eighth century, when a mint was established, and up until the 14th century when the city’s first goldsmiths formed a guild.

The story of the city’s history will also be told through print, following the tale of 18th century entrepreneur Grace White who became one of three female printers in the city, taking over her husband’s printing press when she was widowed.

In the years that followed, she would form the city’s first newspaper, the York Mercury, in an industry which was mainly dominated by men, and running the press from 1716 to 1721. A copy of the first newspaper remains.

And among the final treasures is an illuminated manuscript of The Bolton Hours in “exquisite” detail, featuring 47 full-page pictures of saints and biblical scenes with six miniatures.

“This new exhibition has been curated to showcase some of these amazing objects, to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship in the city over the centuries and to explore the role of the cathedral at the heart of this rich and inspiring culture,” Ms Rawson added.

Exhibition

Since the seventh century, York Minster has been at the heart of Christianity in the North.

The upcoming exhibition, exploring some of the lasting treasures from its history and from across the city, aims to shine a light on items which celebrate York’s story of creativity and culture.

Entitled The Heart of Yorkshire: Creativity and Culture in York Minster’s Collections, the exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until January 17.

Hosted in the cathedral’s 13th century Chapter House, it features about 50 items, including some rarely on public display, and is funded with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Museum Development Yorkshire.

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James Mitchinson