Treasures of The minister

The stone Minster was built in three distinct Gothic styles. The Early English style, circa 1190-1250, evident in the east end and the transepts, is defined by vaulted roofs, buttresses and slender pointed arched windows. The Decorated style, circa 1308-1349, in the nave windows and west end, features curved tracery and elaborate carvings on the columns, and the Perpendicular style, circa 1360-1420, with its large windows with vertical tracery, gives a feeling of space. Sunlight floods through the Great East Window, which dates from the 13th to the early 15th centuries. Before the main altar, approached by a trompe l-oeil Italian marble tiled pavement, are 68 misericords, or mercy seats, the largest set in the country. A misericord is a ledge projecting from the underside of a hinged seat in a choir stall which, when the seat is turned up, gives support to someone standing. In the North Choir Aisle is the Percy Canopy, created between 1340 and 1349 for Eleanor, wife of Henry, first Lord Percy of Alnwick. The Percys were one of the most powerful noble families in the North of England. This masterpiece of English decorated stone carving took approximately nine years to carve. The theme of the tomb carvings is the journey of the soul after death. The tomb of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, is beneath the Percy coat of arms, the only piece of 15th century glass in the Minster. Born circa 1449, north of Beverley, Northumberland was present at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 between Richard III and Henry, later Henry VII. Northumberland supported Richard III; however, he did not lead his troops to action. Some believe this non-participation led to the defeat of Richard. Northumberland died in 1489 collecting taxes in North Yorkshire, at the hands of a mob. One hundred and 13 stone steps spiral 66ft (20m) to the timbered roof space of the Minster. Rose leaded windows look south towards the Humber Estuary and to St Mary’s tower. The original roof was built between 1188 and 1220, and the oldest roof timber has been dated back to 967. The whole Minster is scattered wth examples of graffiti from the 1300s onwards. This ranges from marks left by masons working on the building to a caricature of pot-bellied John Hunsley, plumber and glazier. Dating from 1794, this is etched into a diamond-shaped pane in the North Rose window.

“…those dim-lit aisles, Where rainbows play, from coloured windows flung, Have echoed to the voice of prayer and praise” Anon, Beverley Minster

On the north face of the Percy Canopy is a statue of Christ showing his wounds, flanked by angels carrying instruments of the Passion.

The chancel of Beverley Minster, with its 16th century carved wooden seats, also known as misericords, or mercy seats, used in prayer.

A giant wooden treadwheel still stands in the Minster. It was used to raise building materials through a hole above the nave.