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Lost Shrine of York's Forgotten Saint Revealed
29 Jan
Summary
- A 13th-century stone slab inscription hints at a miraculous event.
- An exhibition at York Minster features a digital recreation of a lost shrine.
- Saint William, patron saint of York, is celebrated for miracles and artistry.
York Minster is currently hosting a new exhibition marking the 800th anniversary of Saint William, once a revered martyr but now largely forgotten. The exhibition prominently features a cutting-edge digital recreation of an imposing shrine to William that was destroyed during Henry VIII's Reformation.
Central to the display is a 13th-century stone slab bearing an inscription that translates to "Which fell on the head of Roger of Ripon," hinting at a miraculous survival. William Fitzherbert, archbishop of York twice in the 12th century, is celebrated for miracles including surviving a bridge collapse and curing a woman who swallowed a frog.
His canonization in 1226 led to his shrine becoming a major pilgrimage destination, inspiring the original 3.8-meter-tall shrine. Though dismantled and buried in the 16th century, fragments of this shrine are now on display alongside the digital reconstruction, offering a glimpse into his past importance.
The exhibition also showcases other historical artifacts, including a 12th-century bible and an ivory casket acquired by William. This event highlights the lasting artistic legacy and continued craftmanship at York Minster, using technology and traditional skills to bring lost history to light.
