Vespers by candle light

Here are the subjects of the last two posts shown together. These colours are for real as the church was specially lit one evening by a group specialising in eclesiastical light shows. It was almost death by incense for the photographer however as the cleric swinging the thurible was very enthusiastic. That is clouds of incense making everything look slightly fuzzy not smoke!
I should add that the singing was beautiful and very atmospheric in this mediaeval church.

St William

This is the statue supported by the wall waif in yesterdays post. It is a 15th century wood carving thought to be of St William of York. It looks to have been laid face down for some time judging by the damage to the front of the carving. Wherever it was hidden it was kept  safe from the religious turmoils of the time and allowed it's survival into the present day.

Who's the Daddy?

St William was Archbishop of York in the mid 12th century, he was canonised in 1227. His tomb was in a sorry state of repair and the decision was taken to replace it during the 1967-72 excavations in the Minster. On opening the tomb it was found to contain not only the remains of St William but those those of a baby. The identity of the baby is unknown, suggestions include a stonemason's unbaptised child, or Prince William of Hatfield, baby son of Edward III, whose empty royal tomb is also in the Minster.
St William's body has moved many times over the centuries, now he rests here in the west crypt surrounded by candles, this site specially chosen as the crypts are mostly unchanged since he was alive. His new tomb is a recycled Roman sarcophagus with a modern lid, resting on a Roman mosaic floor.

St William's College

William FitzHerbert was twice Archbishop of York.  On his return to York as Archbishop Ouse Bridge collapsed as his triumphal precession crossed but no one was killed. This event plus a couple of posthumous miracles led to him being canonized in 1227. This is part of  the doorway to Saint Williams’s college. Dating from 1465 it was built next to the Minster to house the chantry priests. 

In the 14^th and 15^th century wealthy citizens could ensure a life of ease in the next world by leaving a sum of money in their will to endow a chantry chapel, and pay for a priest to say a daily mass on their behalf. The arms of St William are on the left and the crossed keys of the See of York on the right.