Home > Minster Timeline
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Introduction to the Timeline
Who was Constantine the Great? When was King Edwin baptised? When was this version of the Minster begun? What year was the Five Sisters Window completed?
When did the Central Tower collapse? For how long did York Minster operate with no Archbishop, Dean or Chapter? What year was the nave roof destroyed by fire?
For the answer to these questions and more why not have a look at our timeline. It records the dates of York Minsters construction and development. It also looks at the personalities associated with the Minster. Along with religious and political influences, these dates have shaped York Minster into the building and community we see today.
Click the blue arrows at the top to begin
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Early from AD 71 to 627
Reconstruction of
1.Statue of
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From 627 to 1066
868 Danes capture York 732 The First Archbishop of York is consecrated 633 Oswald completes the Stone Church c. 630 Work begins on a Stone Church 627 King Edwin is baptised 
Comper Font Cover
Great East Window panel
King Oswald
King Edwin, Quire
St Paulinus
Comper Font detail of St
York Gospels
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From 1066 to 1100
Reconstruction
Reconstruction
Statue of William the
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1100s
12th Century Glass from
St William on Ouse
Norman door jamb from
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1200s
Five Sisters and the
Five Sisters detail,
Chapter House Interior
South Transept
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1300s
1394 The Quire is begun 1361 Foundations of the Lady Chapel laid c.1346 A Royal burial at the Minster 1345 Black Death 1338 The Great West Window is completed 1320 Demolition of the West Front Towers 
Prince William of
Archbishop Scrope
Early 15th Century
Archbishop Thoresby
The Great West Window
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1400s
1472 Completion and Consecration of the Minster c.1460 The Quire Screen is completed 1420 – 1465 Tower rebuilt 1407 Collapse of the Tower 1405-08 The Great East Window is completed 
Great East Window and
Plan showing historic
The Quire Screen
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1500s
The Rose Window c. 1500
Reconstruction of 15th
Defaced Romanesque
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1600s
1660 The Dean and Chapter are restored 1644 Abolition of the Dean and Chapter 1639 King Charles stays in York 1633 King Charles I visits the Minster 1606 Tobias Matthew becomes Archbishop 
Plaque commemorating
Toby Matthews Monument
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1700s
1753-1795 Updating of the stained glass 1753 Fire damages the Minster 1751 Wind damages the Minster 1731 - 1738 A new floor for the Minster 
Empty Nave showing
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1800s
Concert Audience at a
Dean Duncombe Memorial
1829 Fire
1840 Fire
1865 Festal Throw
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20th Century
1961 Royal Wedding
1967 Bernard Fielden
1984 South Transept
1988 South Transept
1998 West Front
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21st Century
Both Archbishops at the
East Front scaffolded
Archbishop Sentamu
