Dominating the skyline of York is its famous Cathedral, the York Minster. It is one of the largest in Europe, indicating the power and influence of York in the past. It is a greatly revered site and there is much pride and love for it. When did this huge structure come to be built? There is little evidence to suggest that it could predate it’s medieval existence. In fact, there is some suggestion that it’s building came about via a very specific need. This was the need to get King Edwin of Northumbria baptised in the year 627. Over the next few decades stone work was added until it burnt down in seven hundred and forty one. After that things become a little murky as the land changed hands between the English and the Danes it’s impossible to know what happened to it.
The Bishop who was running the place in 1066 came down to crown King William after his successful victory at Hastings. It did not leave much of an impression on William as he damaged the Minster a fair bit when he was harrying the North of rebels. So, no love lost there. A Norman bishop soon began repairs. This was nothing compared to the damage the Danes did to it in 1075 when they destroyed it.
This time the Minster was built along good Norman lines and was given a gothic style update. It caught fire again in 1137 but with it’s reputation growing repairs were quickly forthcoming. Although our medieval ancestors did not have it, the services of Etempa Yorkshire web designers would have been certainly appreciated. They could have used the Yorkshire Web Design company to get artisans in to sort the repairs out.