Where to see Stained Glass in York The parish churches of York are justifiably famous for their stained glass. These are some of the most easily accessible churches for those planning a stained glass tour of the central city area. All Saints, North Street Probably the city s most famous parish destination for stained glass lovers. The atmospheric church, its interior subdivided by screens much as would have been the case in the Middle Ages, boasts glass of 14 th and 15 th century date. Much of the glass has been moved about within the building and it has been restored more than once. Its highlights include the lovely c1330 east window of the Lady Chapel, originally the chancel east window, depicting the Joys of the Virgin Mary. Taking its place in the chancel east window is one of two windows given c1410-20 by merchant and Lord Mayor Nicholas Blackburn senior. Blackburn kneels, with this wife, his son (Nicholas Junior) and daughter-in-law, beneath figures of St John the Baptist, St Anne teaching the Virgin to read and St Christopher. The Blackburn family s dedication to female literacy is demonstrated by the centrality of the St Anne and the Virgin image and by the fact that both Blackburn wives are shown with open books.
Blackburn also donated the famous Corporal Acts of Mercy Window in the north aisle in which a rich man, probably Blackburn himself, is show acting out the acts of charity commanded by Christ in Matthew s gospel. Next to this is the one window that remains in its correct location, the famous Pricke of Conscience window, donated by members of the Hessle family. The window depicts the fifteen events that will presage the end of the world as described in a famous late 14 th century poem of that name. This early 15 th -century window is the only know example of this subject in stained glass. Also worthy of study is the Nine Orders of Angels window in the south aisle. Reduced to a mass of fragments in the 18 th century, the window was recreated in the 1960s using the evidence of a discovered 17 th century drawing of it made prior to its near-destruction. For more information: http://allsaints-northstreet.org.uk/
Holy Trinity, Goodramgate This lovely church tucked away in retirement is famous for its historic box pews. It also contains remarkable 14th and 15 th century stained glass, most notably its remarkable east window, given in 1471 by its rector John Walker. The window depicts St John the Baptist, a vigorous image of St George killing the dragon, St John the Evangelist, the Trinity, St John the Evangelist, and St Christopher. Under the large figures are smaller panels crowded with figures; St Mary Cleophas, her husband Alphaeus and four children; St Anne and St Joachim, the young Virgin Mary and infant Christ Child; the Virgin crowned by the Trinity; St Mary Salome, her husband Zebedee and the infant John the Evangelist and St Ursula protecting a king, a pope and her virgin companions. For more information: http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/ourchurches/completelistofchurches/holy-trinity- Church-York-North-Yorkshire/
St Martin le Grand, Coney Street The church was a casualty of wartime bombing, but was partially rebuilt 1961-8. Its stupendous west window of 1437, the gift of its rector Robert Semer, had been removed to safety and now sits in a replica tracery immediately facing the door into the church. Its scale and brilliancy makes it one of the most rewarding medieval windows in the city.
The window depicts scenes from the life and miracles of St Martin, Bishop of Tours, clustered around a large standing figure of the saint, in full vestments. The donor, Robert Semer, onetime chamberlain of the Minster, kneels at St Martin s feet. In what is now the church s east window is one York newest windows (1965), a depiction of the burning of the church by York artist Harry Stammers. For more information: http://www.yorkstories.co.uk/churches/st_martin_le_grand_york.php
St Michael le Belfrey Although one of the city s oldest foundations, the church was completely rebuilt 1525-37 and most of its stained glass dates from this period. The east window, above a reredos and communion rail of 1712 by William Etty, preserves glass of c1340 that seems to have been saved and reused from the earlier church. Otherwise all the glass is of the early 16 th century, a rarity in York. In the north aisle are four episodes from the life of St Thomas Becket derived from Caxton s English translation of the Golden Legend (other scenes are preserved in the Minster s chapter house east window). Also on the north side are large figures of saints, including St Michael, St Christopher, St Ursula and the Virgin. In the south aisle are early 16 th -century saints including St George, St Martin and another St Christopher, with inscriptions recreated from 17 th century antiquarian sources.
The donor figures serve as a reminder of the wealthy mercantile elite who worshipped in St Michael s at the close of the medieval period. For more information: http://www.stmichaelsyork.org/who-we-are/who-weare/history.html