York Minster Stone and Wood

Today I returned to York Minster on the hop-on-hop-off bus. I wanted, in particular, to look closely at the chapter house, which I skipped yesterday. It is slightly cooler than yesterday and I am managing quite well with jeans and synthetic tops. 

The commentary on the bus today was live - and sprinkled with all sorts of facts about Australia as I was the only passenger (comparative consumption of Kit Kats, first railway construction, Parramatta Female Factory). The Minster provided respite.

Yesterday I really enjoyed the figures in the Kings' screen in York Minster. Each figure had character - mostly unflattering.

Above the Kings are individualised Angels 

There are also lovely little bosses under each king's canopy - not easy to photograph.

In the Northern Choir aisle there is a  1624 Memorial to Henry Belassis and his wife Ursula.

and, from 1623, with contrasting stance, one to Sir William Ingram civil servant, and his wife Catherine

More conventional is the tomb of Walter de Gray, Archbishop 1215-1255 - who persuaded the chapter to build the current gothic cathedral over the Norman one.

There are two beautiful matching cope boxes with wolf-head locks

I was especially interested in the astronomical clock, memorial to the more than 18 000 airmen who flew out of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, killed in WWII. I lit a candle for Lionel Dellit, who died when his plane was shot down off the North Coast of Bali, thousands of miles from Yorkshire, in 1943.

It is next to the WWI memorial screen with inscribed doors

and a dragon lamp. 

The chapter house has seating for all members of the chapter built into the round walls and reflects the context of church decision making.  

The bosses above each seat are a reminder of the diversity of human interest and motivation - of how you might be portrayed if captured by an artist (more lasting than a parliamentary TV camera.).

I especially like the ones climbing out of the stone

There are also animals and plants

From the Minster I walked to and through the Shambles

past a church jumble sale

 and the repair of All Saints 

- with its lovely lantern tower.

Eventually I had a morning coffee and got the same bus back to the hotel. Friends from Australia phoned as I boarded the bus. It was great to hear their voices and news - and I could afford to miss the commentary. 

I am saving my post on the Minster's embroideries for tomorrow - another transition day.