James Gaston

York Art Gallery

A walk along the Ouse

York Minster 16 Oct 2023 York Minster 16 Oct 2023 York UK --

It points to the sky like a huge dead finger.
-Detective Shardlake on first viewing the minster, in C. J. Sansom's novel "Sovereign"

In York it is hard to miss York Minster, an Anglican cathedral (full name: Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York). It is a massive building with huge rooms, giant windows, and enormous columns, and it is all encrusted of decorations. Built to impress the masses, feed egos, one-up the neighbours, and glorify an imaginary being.

The minster appeared in two books I've recently read, the Sansom novel quoted above plus Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" in a scene attesting to Mr Norrell's magic skills.

York Minster

The panels share the story of the creation of the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The statue shown here is a reproduction. The actual statue is outside, as shown in the next photo.

York Minster

The panels share the story of the creation of the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The statue shown here is a reproduction. The actual statue is outside, as shown in the next photo.

York Minster

The panels share the story of the creation of the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The statue shown here is a reproduction. The actual statue is outside, as shown in the next photo.

York Minster

The newest addition to the church is the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

York Minster

The newest addition to the church is the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

York Minster

The newest addition to the church is the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Debtors prison, York Castle

This is an actual prison cell inside York castle (not the cathedral; we've changed locations). The fellow projected on the wall (represented by an actor, obviously) was a real person imprisoned for debt. He shared this tiny, cold, cement room with many other prisoners. Contrast this with the palatial structure on the other side of town.

Debtors prison, York Castle

York Art Gallery

A walk along the Ouse