— 420 — 



The styles of architecture represented are : 



Saxon. — Some fragments in the Crypt. 



Norman. — The Crypt, where may be seen parts of 

 the Norman Chancel. Parts of the central Tower. 



Early English. — North and South Transepts. 



Decorated. — North and Chapter House. 



Perpendicular. — The Lady Chapel, the Choir, the 

 Central and Western Towers. 



On the 2nd February, 1829, Jonathan Martin, an 

 insane man, set fire to the choir : the building was 

 restored by a national subscription at a cost of £65,000, 

 and the cathedral was re-opened for worship on the 6th 

 May, 1832. On the 20th May, 18-40, through the care- 

 lesness of a workman, the Minster again suffered from 

 fire. The South- West bell tower together with the roof 

 of the nave, were destroyed. A second subscription was 

 set on foot and the damages repaired at a cost of 

 £23,000. " York Cathedral is build in the form of a 

 cross. Its length is 524 feet and its extreme breadth, 

 north to south, 250 feet. Its special features are the 

 dignity and massive grandeur of the whole, whether 

 viewed from the exterior or interior. In the height of 

 the roofs, both nave and choir, York exceeds every 

 other English cathedral. The west front is considered a 

 marvel of architectural excellence ; its two towers have 

 on each side perpendicular windows, and rise to the 

 height of 202 feet, surmounted with lofty pinnacles. 

 The west window, which is of two divisions of four 

 lights each, is an unrivalled specimen of the leafy 

 tracery that marks the style of the middle of the four- 

 teenth century. Underneath is the great west entrance, 

 consisting of an outer arch, deeply recessed, the mould- 

 ings of which contain details of exquisite delicacy, and 

 figures representing the history of Adam and Eve. It is 

 subdivided in the centre with two doorways support- 

 ing a circle filled with tracery. 



The north transept contains an elegant window known 

 as the "Five sisters." From the base springs an arcade 



