What She Saw at York  (Recorded visits of 1413 and fall, 1417) 
WORKS OF ART DATED 1417 OR EARLIER

The Minster and the Parish Churches of York contain the largest deposit of extant stained glass in England. Despite evidence of much loss, the city reflects most closely what must have been common throughout city and country in late medieval England. To understand the context of the English medieval church, we must acknowledge the post-medieval forces that have so altered the face of the past. Campaigns against images of greater and lesser magnitude began when Henry VIII separated England from the traditions of Roman Catholic piety (see iconoclasm). York was subject to anti-image regulations. However, during the Civil War of the following century, York was fortunate. When it was taken by Puritan troops under Sir Thomas Fairfax in July 1644, the Minster and parish churches were protected from destruction.

We do not know precisely which churches Margery visited in York. She names only the Minster, an anchoress (very probably at All Saints North Street), and "a church in York." Given her proclivity for religious sites, it is very likely that that she visited many parish churches, worshiping at the altars and seeing the imagery in the windows. The following lists provides imagery that Margery Kempe very probably saw while she visited York.

Pricke of Conscience Meditation on the Last Days of the World
Works of Mercy Guide to charitable actions
Passion and Resurrection Series
Chapter House

ST. WILLIAM'S SHRINE
Margery Kempe mentions that she came to York on a pilgrimage to offer at St. William's Shrine. At the time of her visit she would have seen both shrine and the great window. (N7)

York Cathedral, St. William Window (N7) 1414, Beatrice de Ros (d. 1415) mother of William, sixth Baron Ros and most probably the donor of the window.

York Cathedral, St. William Window (N7) 1414, St. William Shrine and petitioner holding a wax model of the afflicted part of the body (here the leg) and offering it at the shrine. The practice of offering "ex votos" in the form of the object of petition was practiced as far back as Roman times in England, for example at Bath.

York Cathedral, St. William Window (N7) 1414, the procession transferring St. William's relics from nave to choir in 1284. Notable personages, including other bishops (two are shown here carrying the shrine), King Edward I and Queen Eleanor attended.

ANGELS

Cherubim. St. Michael Spurriergate, York, c. 1410. © Raguin/MMK. Cherubim are completely covered with wings, and contemplate the face of God.

Nine Choirs (Orders) of Angels, stained glass, All Saints North Street, c. 1410. © Raguin/MMK.

Orders of Angels, All Saints North Street, York, c. 1410. Principalities: These Angels are thought to be those who protect religions as well as nations and leaders of the world. They are described as wearing soldier's uniforms. © Raguin/MMK.

Orders of Angels, All Saints North Street, York, c. 1410. Cherubim? © Raguin/MMK.

Orders of Angels, All Saints North Street, c. 1410. Powers? © Raguin/MMK.

ANN
St. Anne teaching the Virgin to read, chancel window, All Saints North Street, c. 1412-28. © Raguin/MMK.

St. Anne teaching the Virgin to read, chancel window, All Saints North Street, detail c. 1412-28. © Raguin/MMK.

BOWET (HENRY)
Henry Bowet, Archbishop of York was from 1407-1423, depicted in window northwest choir aisle, York Minster, c. 1420-1435.

CATHERINE

St. Catherine, chapterhouse vestibule, York Minster c. 1290 © Raguin/MMK.

St. Catherine, window of chapterhouse, York Minster c. 1285-90 © Raguin/MMK

St. Catherine, window of chapterhouse, York Minster c. 1285-90, detail of torture with wheels © Raguin/MMK

St. Catherine, westernmost window of north nave aisle, York Minster, 1307-1312, detail of torture with wheels © Raguin/MMK Royal arms are in the border of this window and figures wearing the fleur-de-lis of France and the lions of England flank the saint's torture. The window is unusual for its imagery of the royalty and peerage of Europe. Italics inicates heraldic shield.

In the borders are figures in heraldic dress: the Kings and Queens of England and France; four earls; Lancaster, Gloucester, Surrey and Warwick, and four barons: Rose, Mowbray, Clifford, and Percy.

CHRISTOPHER
St. Christopher, north choir window, York Minster c 1380 © Raguin/MMK.

St. Christopher, All Saints North Street, York, 1412-28 © Raguin/MMK.

JOHN THE BAPTIST
St. John the Baptist, north aisle, St. Denys Walmgate, York, 1350 © Raguin/MMK.

St. John the Baptist, (chancel window) All Saints North Street, York, 1412-28 © Raguin/MMK.

JOHN THE EVANGELIST
John the Evangelist, St. Denys Walmgate, York, c. 1350. John holds a circle with his emblem of the eagle. © Raguin/MMK

LAWRENCE
St. Lawrence, north choir, York Minster, c. 1380 © Raguin/MMK

St. Lawrence martyred, north nave aisle #4, York Minster, c. 1305-30 © Raguin/MMK

Lay donor offering window, north aisle #4, York minister, 1305-30 © Raguin/MMK

MARY MAGDALENE
Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, nave aisle, south, York Minster, 1305-30. © Raguin/MMK

Christ appears to Mary Magdalene, All Saints Pavement, York, west window, originally St. Savior Church, York, c. 1370. © Raguin/MMK

MARGARET
St. Margaret, north aisle, St. Denys Walmgate, York, 1350 © Raguin/MMK.

Donor Richard Skelton, stained glass, St. Denys Walmgate, York, below St. Margaret and Virgin and Child, c. 1350 © Raguin/MMK

Donor Richard Skelton, detail, St. Denys Walmgate, York, c. 1350 © Raguin/MMK

NICHOLAS
St. Nicholas resuscitates three boys, nave, south aisle, York Minster, 1325 © Raguin/MMK

PENANCE
Penancers window, north nave aisle, men and women receiving penance nXXVII, York Minster, c. 1305-30 © Raguin/MMK

Penancers window, detail of man receiving penance from a cleric, north nave aisle, nXXVII, York Minster, c. 1305-30 © Raguin/MMK

PETER
St. Peter, martyrdom, north nave aisle, York Minster, c. 1305-30 © Raguin/MMK

LATER WINDOWS AT YORK

WILLIAM OF YORK
William of York, northwest choir aisle, York Minster, c. 1420-35 © Raguin/MMK.

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