44 
THE CHURCH AND PARISH OF 
The chantries, chapels, etc, were dissolved in 1547. S. 
Martin’s church was rich in the possession of beautiful 
Perpendicular woodwork in its numerous screens, stalls with 
misereres, its rood loft, etc., but of these nothing remains. 
Last year the doorways to the rood loft were discovered and 
have been left open. (PI. IV. Fig. 2.) 
The reformers under Ed. VI. issued orders for the services 
of the church to be given in the English tongue and not the 
Latin. The offices of the church were simplified and a Common 
Prayer Book in English was issued in 1549, followed by a 
revised version of it in 1552. During the reign of Edward VI. 
many of the churches in York were demolished, and S. Martin's 
narrowly escaped. The work of spoliation was in progress 
when Aid. Beane came forward on behalf of the parish and 
succeeded in retaining the church. 
The Registers give a vivid idea of the terrible mortality 
caused by the plague in 1550 and the following year. In 1549 
there were 8 burials, in 1550 these had increased to 67, and in 
1551 there were 52 burials, and the Registers significantly add 
“ and not one marriage.” 
John Beane died in 1581. He served the office Lord Mayor 
in 1545 and 1565 and Member of Parliament in 1554. His 
only child, Mary, was married in S. Martin’s church, to Anthony 
Wharton, Esq. From this marriage the wealthy and eccentric 
Mrs. Margaret Wharton, who died in 1791, and her noble con¬ 
temporary Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, both derived their 
descent. 
In 1585 the church of S. Gregory was united to the church 
of S. Martin, Micklegate. 
A parishioner, Thos. Harrison, was twice Lord Mayor, and 
two of his sons also filled the office. Another parishioner, 
Thos. Hoyle, was Lord Mayor in 1632, and M.P. in 1640. 
Lady Hoyle in 1629 was “ surprised with an apoplexy at her 
private devotions," and was buried in S. Martin’s church. 
Good examples of Renaissance woodwork are preserved in the 
reredos, pulpit with sounding board, font cover, bread board, 
and poor box. 
In 1655 a new porch was built, and in the following year 
new gates and a turne pike. In 1667 the tower was rebuilt 
