22 
MY VISITS TO SOME NOTABLE YORKSHIRE 
PLACES. 
(Wire Lantern Views.) 
By Mr. HARRY SPEIGHT (Author of “The Craven 
Highlands” dc.) 25th February, 1902. 
At the outset of his remarks the Lecturer claimed, on behalf of 
the County of York, the possession of many features in which 
she excelled other Counties, such as her Civil and Military 
enterprise, her rich woodland scenery, the famous breed of 
cattle, the Craven heifer and fine shorthorns, &c., and her 
Churches, with historic connection to the distant past. The 
Lecturer then proceeded to exhibit a fine series of views beginning 
with York Minster, the most magnificent building in the County. 
The Minster covers the largest area of any cathedral in England, 
and is reputed to contain more stained glass than in all the rest 
of England. The Great Tower 210 to 215 feet high is the highest 
in the land. The Choir Screen is of solid stone. In the earliest 
churches the Chancel was shut off from the rest of the church by 
a solid stone screen, being a survival of a primitive custom. The 
South aisle used to be gated off, not only with solid iron, but also 
with oaken doors. At present there is an iron screen. This 
Cathedral is the loftiest in England, being about 180 feet in 
height from floor to nave. Its stained glass window is the finest in 
the Universe, and was the work of an artist from Coventry, who, 
according to the records, received the munificent sum of 4/- per 
week for his work. The window consists of 117 compartments, 
and represents the history of the Creation. The artist was 
engaged three years on the work, which was completed in 1402, 
just 500 years ago. 
Following the course of the River Wharf to the head of the 
Dale, and then over into Wensleydale, the lecturer exhibited and 
described a goodly number of views, including the ruins of 
St. Mary’s Abbey, the foundation stone of which was laid by 
William II in 1089: Micklegate Bar, York,—still in wonderful 
preservation—an example to modern masons. On this Bar have 
been spiked the heads of kings and princes. 
