YORK CATHEDRAL

WIENER, Jacques: England, 1854, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: View of exterior of cathedral
Exergue: YORK CATHEDRAL BUILT 630-642. BURNT 1069. REBUILT 1070. AGAIN BURNT 1137. RECONSTRUCTED 1171-1361. RESTORATION FINISHED 1832. ELKINGTON & CO. LONDON
Rev: View of interior
Signed: J. WIENER F. / J. WIENER BRUXELLES
Ref: Van Hoydonck 112; Reinecke 37; Ross M136; Weiss BW249

York Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, is also called the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York and commonly called the ‘Minster". It is cruciform in shape and occupies the site of the church founded by Edwin and which was destroyed at the Conquest. Between 1070 and 1154 another church was built, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt of the present building, which took from the 13th to the 15th centuries to build. Two great fires have since damaged this building. The first, in 1829 destroyed the choir woodwork, and the second, in 1840, damaged the southwest tower. It has some of the most magnificient stained glass of any cathedral in the world. The stained glass, much of it 14th century , was replaced after World War II, having been removed for safety in 1939.
The city of York is surrounded by walls dating from the 14th century. Among its other historical buildings, is Clifford's tower, built in the 13th century. This tower stands on the artificial mound where William the Conqueror built a castle which, in 1190, witnessed a massacre of York Jews.

There is also a more rare variety of this medal wherein the text is in French.

Image of Great East Window (Apocalypse)

Image of The Five Sisters Window

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