You can take a trip to the cinema and meet a miracle man in a brand new exhibition at York Minster.
It marks the 800th anniversary of the declaration of Archbishop William fitzHerbert as York’s patron saint.
Opening in time for York Residents’ Festival this weekend, St William of York: Life and Legacy can be viewed by the public from Saturday 31 January.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring fresh insight into something so important in the history of York Minster and also the city of York, by bringing together a really exciting combination of objects,” said Dr Jennie England, research coordinator at the Minster and curator of the exhibition.
The exhibition includes a rare opportunity to see pieces from his medieval Nave shrine returned to York Minster for the first time in almost 500 years, on loan from York Museums Trust.
About William fitzHerbert
William fitzHerbert was twice Archbishop of York during the 12th century.
Although he was loved by the people of York, his appointment was riddled with political and religious disputes which ultimately led to his untimely death.
William became violently ill while celebrating Mass and quickly rumours began to spread that his communion chalice had been poisoned by one of his enemies.
No concrete proof of foul play has ever been discovered and the true circumstances surrounding William’s untimely death remain an unsolved mystery…
Other treasures on display include a delicately decorated ivory casket, a reproduction of the only surviving seal of Archbishop William, and the stone which fell on the head of an unsuspecting man who was miraculously saved from harm.
“We’ve got items that William will have known in life, or may have known in life all the way back in the 12th century,” said Dr Jennie.
“We’re pairing that with the latest technologies and latest understandings in terms of digital technology and innovation, all alongside mediaeval art and artistry that can reflect the devotion that he inspired.
“It’s been really special at every single stage to bring everything together and reunite some of these items.”
“I hope that perhaps visitors are surprised to learn about this figure and that people are excited and intrigued by what we brought together.”
Alongside the new exhibition, visitors can also take a trip to the cinema!
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.
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.
St William of York: Life and Legacy is running at York Minster until January 2027 – access to the exhibition is included in general admission.
