Video: Secrets of York’s medieval worship

FOR the butchers of The Shambles, it was a place of quiet contemplation and prayer away from the hustle and bustle of medieval York.
Katie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony BartholomewKatie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony Bartholomew
Katie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony Bartholomew

And a glimpse into the city’s 13th century past is being unearthed with an archaeological dig that is taking place at one of York’s famous historic squares. The £500,000 revamp of King’s Square, at the top of the iconic Shambles, has uncovered the foundations of the ancient Holy Trinity Church which was first mentioned in 1268.

It was the church used by York’s guild of butchers, but it has had an intriguing history which led to its demolition in 1861 - only to be replaced by another place of worship. But within 35 years, the church was no longer being used by congregations, and was instead employed by butchers to store livestock before the animals were taken for slaughter.

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York Council’s archaeologist, John Oxley, told the Yorkshire Post that he is planning to hold talks with the Diocese of York to trawl records to establish why the medieval church was knocked down only to be replaced by a building which itself was demolished in 1937 to create King’s Square. He confirmed it was the first chance he had been presented with since he joined the council in 1989 to investigate the foundations of one of York’s demolished medieval churches. Many places of worship were knocked down in the late 16th century when the city’s population numbers had fallen and parishes were amalgamated.

Katie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony BartholomewKatie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony Bartholomew
Katie Keefe from Onsite Archaeology on the site of a medieval church on Kings Square, York. Picture: Tony Bartholomew

He said: “This is a significant opportunity to have a look at the remains of one of the city’s medieval churches. At that time, there was a network of religious establishments with the Minster at the top before cascading down to the churches across the city. Wherever you looked, there was religion on every street corner.”

The dig is expected to last for the next fortnight, but the council stressed it is hoped the excavations will not delay the work to the square. It is the first of six projects under the £3.3m Reinvigorate York scheme, which is aimed at attracting more shoppers and tourists to the city centre.

Picture by Tony Bartholomew. Video by Peter McNerney

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