The lost shrine of St William of York returns to York Minster for the first time since the Reformation
Fragments of a medieval shrine dedicated to York’s patron saint will return to York Minster for the first time in almost 500 years in a landmark exhibition and cinematic experience.
The life of St William of York was shaped by faith and devotion, but his story is one of controversy and intrigue. Although loved by many in the city, William’s two appointments as Archbishop of York were riddled with political and religious disputes. When he became violently ill whilst celebrating Mass, rumours quickly spread that his communion chalice had been poisoned by one of his enemies. The true circumstances surrounding William’s untimely death remain an unsolved mystery.
Many miracles were attributed to William’s influence and intervention as people sought help, hope and healing at his tomb. In 1226, in recognition of these miracles and this devotion, Pope Honorius III proclaimed William a saint. Over the years at least four known structures or shrines were dedicated to him, and his resting place became one of the most significant sites for pilgrimage in the country. Between 1538 and 1541, during the English Reformation, the huge two-storey stone shrine erected over his tomb was dismantled and buried underneath the streets of York. The care taken to hide the pieces suggests a hope that one day the shrine would be found and restored.
EXHIBITION: St William of York: Life and Legacy
Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see pieces from St William’s medieval Nave shrine inside York Minster for the first time in five centuries. These fragments, which were rediscovered in excavations and cared for in the Yorkshire Museum, have been kindly lent to the cathedral by York Museums Trust for the duration of the exhibition.
The shrine fragments will be displayed alongside other treasures selected by York Minster’s Collections Team which reveal the life of a man who devoted himself to his city and cathedral. The miracles, murder, and mystery of York’s patron saint are brought to life in a delicately decorated ivory casket made in Sicily with Arabian design influences, a reproduction of the only surviving seal of Archbishop William, and the stone that fell on the head of an unsuspecting man who was miraculously saved from harm.
FILM: Recreating St William’s Shrine: A Cinematic Experience
Visitors will be able to experience the imposing shrine as never before, thanks to years of research, the latest in 3D-modelling, and expert knowledge drawn from across the city of York. Fragments of the shrine have been 3D scanned using technology employed by the cathedral’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management. Viridian FX, a York-based visual effects studio whose work has featured in major TV and film releases, including HBO’s House of the Dragon, Netflix’s Kaos, and the blockbuster Now You See Me 3, have used the scans and research to bring the medieval structure to life in Unreal Engine, a powerful 3D creation tool used in games and films.
The digital reconstruction of the shrine is the centrepiece of a new film created by York-based studio Hewitt & Walker. The film, which will be shown on a huge screen in a purpose-built cinema beneath the cathedral, introduces this often-overlooked patron saint and celebrates the city’s long history at the cutting edge of artistry, craft, and technology.
York Minster’s Research Coordinator Dr Jennie England, who features in the film and curated the new exhibition, explains: “2026 marks 800 years since St William’s canonisation. This anniversary presents the opportunity to reflect on what St William means to York Minster, its community, and its visitors today, and the impact of his legacy on the history and fabric of the cathedral.
“The return of these fragments of St William’s shrine to York Minster after nearly 500 years is hugely significant. Although our methods would be unimaginable to the craftspeople who created this medieval masterpiece, our commitment to ensuring that as many people as possible can connect with this holy and historic individual is much the same as theirs.
“We invite everybody to come and discover the film and exhibition and encounter a patron saint whose influence still resonates 800 years after his canonisation.”
The exhibition and cinematic experience will open to the public on Saturday 31 January and will run during sightseeing times throughout 2026. Both activities are included in a sightseeing ticket.
Minster crafts a legacy for 800th anniversary of York’s patron saint
Minster crafts a legacy for 800th anniversary of York’s patron saint
2026 will see sweeping changes to York Minster as it marks the 800th anniversary of the declaration of Archbishop William fitzHerbert as York’s patron saint.
Crafting a Legacy: 800 Years of York’s Patron Saint is a new programme featuring landmark exhibitions, major new partnerships, and an array of events in a year that sees the Minster conserving iconic stained glass and making significant improvements to accessibility into the heart of the historic building.
The programme is designed to allow hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Minster to explore St William’s life and the incredible artistry he inspired in the centuries following his untimely death. This unresolved mystery, believed to have been caused by poison slipped into a chalice during Mass, has inspired a collaboration with local brewery Brew York, who will produce a limited edition ‘Poisoned Chalice’ ale.
A new partnership with Viridian FX, a leading York-based virtual effects studio, will return one of St William’s shrines to the Minster through a new cinematic experience, unimaginable to the medieval crafts people who first created it. Crafted in the early 14th century by York stonemasons, St William’s Nave shrine was one of the largest and finest in England. It was dismantled and buried during the 16th century under what is now Precentor’s Court during the English Reformation. Fragments uncovered in the centuries since are now in the care of York Museums Trust.
The surviving shrine fragments have been laser scanned by the Minster’s Digital Surveyor, placed into a 3D model based on research by Stuart Harrison, Cathedral Archaeologist, and brought to life in Unreal Engine, which is used in many high-end computer games. This collaboration explores the groundbreaking technology now in use in the heritage sector and celebrates York’s designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts.
Viridian FX’s creative will be used in a new film, produced by York-based Hewitt and Walker, that will premiere alongside a major new exhibition in the Minster’s Undercroft Museum.
A new book celebrating the St William Window, co-written by Prof Sarah Brown, former director of the York Glaziers Trust, and Prof Christopher Norton of the University of York will launch during a lecture series planned to explore the life and legacy of the saint.
For those inspired by St William, the Minster will hold LEGO®, workshops to explore how the shrine would have been constructed, walking tours with Rob Andrews of Churchcrawling, and workshops with artist Ric Liptrot.
The programme will unfold against a backdrop of generational conservation work to the South Transept and South Quire Aisle, as well as the installation of a new stone ramp to ease access into the Quire, representing the largest change to the building in over 150 years.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “Archbishop William fitzHerbert was canonised 800 years ago. Rather forgotten in our own time, he would have loomed large in medieval York – a fact one cannot ignore when the true size and scale of his magnificent medieval shrines are revealed. The artistry he inspired, seen in stained glass, the surviving shrine fragments, and artworks, has left a lasting impression on this very building, and cannot help but move one today.
“Yet this artistry is not a thing of the past. Our commitment not just to conserving this building, but to continuing to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands who journey through our doors each year, means that today our craftspeople are using incredible technology and traditional skills to reveal lost shrines, and to create the first permanent stone ramp into the heart of the Minster – the Quire – where acts of worship take place 365 days a year.
“It is very much my hope that visitors to the Minster learn something of our often-overlooked saint, and leave knowing that they are helping us to continue a legacy of craft stretching beyond St William’s time to our founding in 627AD.”
The full Crafting a Legacy: 800 Years of York’s Patron Saint programme is set out below. For booking information visit the York Minster website or call the Bookings Team on 01904 557200.
Recreating St William’s shrine: a cinematic experience
31 January – 31 December
Discover the legacy of craft inspired by St William of York reimagined in a new film produced in collaboration with York-based studios Hewitt and Walker and Viridian FX.
Included with a sightseeing ticket.
St William of York: Life and Legacy
31 January 2026 – 3 January 2027
Explore the miracles, murder and mystery of our city’s patron saint in our new exhibition St William of York: Life and Legacy.
Included with a sightseeing ticket.
Meet the Vikings, Romans, and St William’s medieval pilgrims
16 – 21 February, 25 – 30 May, 26 – 31 October
Join costumed interpreters in the half-term holidays to journey through the Minster’s history as you enjoy craft activities, short talks, and object handling.
Included with a sightseeing ticket.
St William anniversary services
18 March & 7 June
The Choir of York Minster will be in fine voice for the anniversary of St William’s canonisation in March and his feast day in June.
Free, no tickets required.
Love to LEGO®?
6 – 11 April & 21 July – 31 August
Join Warren Elsemore, an artist in LEGO®, during the Easter holidays as we recreate St William’s epic medieval shrine. Get inspired in the Summer Holidays and use LEGO® to build features seen around the Minster.
Included with a sightseeing ticket.
Artist workshops with Ric Liptrot
10 April, 8 & 16 May, 19 June
Join local artist Ric Liptrot for workshops inspired by York’s magnificent architecture, complete with lunch in the York Minster Refectory.
Additional charges apply.
Limited edition ‘Poisoned Chalice’ ale
Available in summer
Details to follow via the York Minster and Brew York websites.
Churchcrawling walking tours
9 May, 6 June, 3 & 17 October
Enjoy walking tours led by Rob Andrews (@churchcrawling on Instagram) exploring the cultural landscape of St William’s life and miracles.
Additional charges apply.
St William lecture series
15, 22 & 29 September, 6 & 13 October
A series of lectures, talks, and presentations by a range of expert speakers exploring the art, theology and legacy of St William.
Free, no tickets required.
York Minster seeking new generation of choristers
York Minster is searching for four boys and four girls, currently in Year 3, to join its world-famous choir. Successful applicants will receive a world-class musical education under the tutelage of the cathedral’s professional musicians, as well as a subsidised place at St Peter’s School, York, one of the oldest schools in the world.
York Minster provides a substantial scholarship for each chorister towards school fees, with opportunities to apply for additional means-tested bursaries which can increase the level of funding to 100%.
Choral music is one of the crowning glories of York Minster. The choir is widely regarded as one of the finest cathedral choirs in the country and can trace its heritage back to 627AD. More recently, the choir has performed for King Charles III, featured on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and recorded a new album. Alongside high-profile performances, choristers also tour internationally, make new friends, and sing alongside renowned musicians in the awe-inspiring setting of York Minster.
Robert Sharpe, the cathedral’s Director of Music, leads the audition process which aims to identify children with musical potential. He explained: “This is a unique opportunity for children to harness their musical talents and to play a part in the life of one of the most important and beautiful cathedrals in the world. As a former chorister parent myself, I know that children do not arrive at the auditions as fully formed musicians. I am looking for children who can hold a tune, pitch notes, and express an interest in developing their musical abilities.
“I am aware of the financial pressures that many families are facing, which may make a choristership seem out of reach. I would encourage parents to have a conversation with the school’s Admissions Team about applying for means-tested bursaries. You may be surprised by how many families qualify for additional fee assistance.
“If your child loves to sing, please do apply for this life-changing opportunity.”
Joy, one of York Minster’s current choristers, shared her experience: “Being a York Minster Chorister has been such a special experience for me. I wanted to join because I’ve always loved singing and after watching my sister’s rehearsals online during Covid, I knew I wanted to be part of it too. I love getting to sing in front of people in the beautiful Minster, and I’ve made so many friends here who feel like my second family. When I’m no longer a chorister, I definitely want to keep singing as a hobby because it’s something I’ll always enjoy.”
Edwin, a fellow chorister, added: “Music has always been a big part of my family: my dad still sings in a choir at York Minster and my brother Arthur was a York Minster Chorister before me, so it was something I knew I would enjoy. I love being able to sing amazing music with my friends, I think I’ll always be musical.”
About the 2025 Chorister Auditions
York Minster’s Chorister Auditions will be held in January 2026 at St Peter’s School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2025.
For more details, please contact admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk.
Archbishop of York raises the wreath at York Minster
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will help to suspend a spectacular three-metre-wide Advent Wreath beneath York Minster’s Central Tower as the cathedral prepares for Christmas.
The wreath, thought to be one of the largest in the country, is created by the Minster’s expert volunteer Flower Arrangers. It takes the team almost three hours to assemble the beautiful display using locally sourced cuttings from winter plants like holly and ivy.
Archbishop Stephen will help to hoist the wreath into position beneath the Central Tower, where it will remain almost 30 feet above ground throughout Advent. Huge one-metre-tall candles will be lit each Sunday, before the final central candle is lit at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in celebration of Christ’s birth.
Archbishop Stephen said: “As the Advent Wreath is raised into position at York Minster, we are reminded of the beauty and hope of this season and the joy of Christ’s birth and his promised return.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the talented team of Flower Arrangers, whose skill and devotion each year create this remarkable centrepiece in this beautiful cathedral.
“Their dedication serves as a reminder of all those who generously offer their time and skills throughout the Advent and Christmas season to help welcome as many people as possible to experience our churches and our worship at this special time.”
Visitors are warmly invited to experience the Advent season at York Minster and witness the wreath in place throughout December.
York Minster opens its digital doors to the world
York Minster, one of the world’s most significant cultural and religious sites, has today launched its presence on the Bloomberg Connects app, joining over 1,100 arts and culture organisations across the world.
The app, which has over 5.7 million users, includes a downloadable guide to the Minster available in over 50 languages, encouraging international visitors to explore some of the building’s incredible highlights including the medieval Chapter House and the Great East Window, the single largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country.
The Minster welcomes over half a million visitors every year. It was recently voted by Tripadvisor’s users as the “Best of the Best”, putting it in the top 1% of visitor attractions worldwide. As the second most senior Anglican church in the country, it hosts significant religious and cultural events including His Majesty King Charles III’s first Royal Maundy as monarch. This year it is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the rededication of its iconic Five Sisters Window as the first, and still the only, national memorial to women who died during World War One.
The Bloomberg Connects app is designed to complement the team of volunteer Minster Guides who offer tours of the building, and whose expert knowledge can help visitors to dig deeper into the 1,398 years of history encapsulated in York Minster. Lisa Power, Head of Events and Participation at the Minster, explains more:
“We are delighted to be able to provide a new way for our visitors to interact with this incredible place. We think this will be particularly useful for people with English as a second language, but you don’t have to visit to download the app – give it a try at home and come armed ready to ask our experts questions about your favourite places, spaces and stories from the Minster.”