English - Medieval York

Loescher Editore video

22 Mar 201903:31

Summary

TLDRThe City of York, founded by Romans in 71 AD, boasts a rich medieval heritage with well-preserved walls and gatehouses. It was a key economic hub, evidenced by the medieval Merchant Adventurers Hall, built in 1357. The Minster, a 13th-century cathedral, exemplifies perpendicular Gothic architecture and houses the world's largest area of stained glass. York's history is further enriched by its Mystery Plays and the use of Purbeck marble in the Minster, reflecting its cultural and economic significance.

Takeaways

🏰 York has a rich history dating back to its founding by the Romans in 71 AD.
🏯 William the Conqueror constructed a castle in York around 1070, of which only Clifford's Tower remains.
🛡 The city boasts well-preserved medieval walls, a rare feature in modern England.
🚶‍♂️ The four main gatehouses of York were crucial for medieval taxation on incoming goods.
🏚️ York is home to numerous medieval buildings, including characteristic half-timbered houses.
🏛️ The Merchant Adventurers Hall, established in 1357, is a key medieval building promoting trade and economic activity.
🛍️ The city's wealth was augmented by the river, which facilitated trade with ships bringing valuable goods from various regions.
🕍 York Minster, the cathedral, was built in the 13th century and is a prime example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture.
🌈 The Minster features the world's largest area of stained glass, created by anonymous medieval craftsmen.
⚜️ Black Purbeck marble was commonly used for tombs, particularly for archbishops, in York Minster.
👑 The King's Screen in York Minster is adorned with sculptures of English kings from William the Conqueror to Henry VI.
🎭 York was renowned for its Mystery Plays, performed outside the Minster to entertain and moralize the public.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the City of York?
-The City of York has a very long history, having been founded by the Romans in 71 AD and becoming one of the most important cities in England by medieval times.
Who built the castle in York and for what purpose?
-William the Conqueror built the castle in York around 1070 to control the city, with only the keep, known as Clifford's Tower, remaining today.
Why are York's medieval walls notable?
-York's medieval walls are notable because very few towns in England have any trace of their medieval walls, and York's are the best-preserved.
What role did the four main gate houses serve in medieval York?
-The four main gate houses were very useful in medieval times for levying taxes on goods coming into the city.
What is the significance of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York?
-The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is one of the most important medieval buildings in York, founded in 1357 to promote economic activity in trade.
What types of goods made York wealthy during the medieval period?
-York became wealthy due to the arrival of merchant ships with cargoes of wine from France, furs from the Baltic, and cloth from what is now the Netherlands.
What is the history of the cathedral in York, known as the Minster?
-The first church on the site was made of wood and built in 627, but the present Minster, as the cathedral is called, was built in the 13th century.
What architectural style is the York Minster known for?
-The York Minster is a supreme example of perpendicular Gothic architecture, which is characterized by soaring vertical lines, high windows with pointed arches, huge Rose windows, and decorative fan vaulting.
How many stained-glass windows are there in the York Minster, and what is its significance?
-There are 128 stained-glass windows in the York Minster, making it the largest area of stained glass in the world.
What material was often used for tombs in the York Minster, particularly for Archbishops?
-Black Purbeck marble from the south coast of England was often used for tombs, especially for those of Archbishops.
What was the purpose of the Mystery Plays performed in York?
-The Mystery Plays were performed outside the Minster to entertain the populace and also to warn them to behave or face the consequences after death.
What is the cultural significance of York in the context of medieval England?
-The City of York is a rich source of medieval culture in the north of England, with its well-preserved medieval walls, significant architecture, and historical events such as the Mystery Plays.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 History and Landmarks of York

The script delves into the rich history of York, a city in northern England's Yorkshire county. Founded by the Romans in 71 AD, York became a significant English city by medieval times. The script highlights the construction of a castle by William the Conqueror in 1070, now represented by the remaining Clifford's Tower. It also mentions the well-preserved medieval walls and the city's four main gatehouses, which historically facilitated the levying of taxes on incoming goods. The medieval architecture is emphasized, particularly the Merchant Adventurers Hall, founded in 1357 to boost trade. The script describes the city's economic prosperity due to the river trade, which brought valuable goods from France, the Baltic, and the Netherlands. The York Minster, a cathedral built in the 13th century from local magnesium limestone, is highlighted for its perpendicular gothic architecture, featuring 128 stained-glass windows—the largest collection in the world. The Minster's choir stalls, King's screen with sculptures of English kings, and the tradition of Mystery Plays are also discussed, showcasing York's cultural significance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡City of York

The City of York is a historic city located in the northern English county of Yorkshire. It is a central theme of the video, showcasing its rich history and cultural significance. Founded by the Romans in 71 AD, York has evolved through medieval times to become one of England's most important cities, as evidenced by the construction of the castle by William the Conqueror in 1070.

💡Medieval

The term 'medieval' refers to the middle period in history, typically spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. In the context of the video, it highlights the era during which York became a significant city, with the construction of the castle and the preservation of its walls and gatehouses, which were crucial for levying taxes on incoming goods.

💡Clifford's Tower

Clifford's Tower is the remaining part of the castle built by William the Conqueror to control the city of York. It exemplifies the architectural legacy of the medieval period and serves as a historical landmark within the city, illustrating the city's strategic importance during that time.

💡Medieval Walls

The medieval walls of York are a testament to the city's past and are among the best-preserved in England. They served as a defensive structure and are now a key feature of the city's heritage, attracting visitors interested in the medieval history of England.

💡Merchant Adventurers Hall

The Merchant Adventurers Hall is a significant medieval building in York, founded in 1357 to promote economic activity and trade. It underscores the city's historical role as a hub for commerce, with the hall being a center for merchants involved in various trade activities.

💡Perpendicular Gothic Architecture

Perpendicular Gothic architecture is a style characterized by vertical lines, high windows with pointed arches, and decorative elements like fan vaulting. The Minster, York's cathedral, is a prime example of this style, showcasing the architectural advancements and aesthetic preferences of the period.

💡Stained Glass

Stained glass is a type of glass that has been colored by adding metallic salts during its manufacture. The Minster in York boasts the largest area of stained glass in the world, with 128 windows, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistic expression of the medieval period.

💡Purbeck Marble

Purbeck Marble is a type of limestone from the south coast of England, often used in medieval times for tombs, especially for archbishops. Its use in the Minster highlights the importance of high-quality materials in the construction and decoration of religious buildings.

💡Choir Stalls

Choir stalls are seating areas within a church reserved for the clergy and choir. In the context of York Minster, they were reserved for important churchmen and monks, who were among the few social groups literate during the medieval period, indicating the significance of education and religious authority.

💡Mystery Plays

Mystery Plays were a form of medieval drama performed outside the Minster in York. They served both as entertainment for the populace and as a moral warning about the consequences of misbehavior, reflecting the social and religious values of the time.

💡King's Screen

The King's Screen is a feature of York Minster, adorned with fifteen sculptures of English kings, from William the Conqueror to Henry VI. It represents the historical continuity and the connection between the monarchy and the religious establishment in medieval England.

Highlights

The City of York, located in the northern English county of Yorkshire, has a rich and extensive history dating back to its founding by the Romans in 71 AD.

York was a major city in medieval England, with William the Conqueror building a castle around 1070 to exert control, of which only Clifford's Tower remains today.

The city is encircled by well-preserved medieval walls, a rare feature among English towns.

Four main gatehouses provided entry into the city and were instrumental in levying taxes on incoming goods during medieval times.

Numerous medieval buildings, including half-timbered houses, showcase the city's architectural heritage.

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall, founded in 1357, is a key medieval building that promoted economic activity and trade.

The River Ouse was a vital thoroughfare, with merchant ships bringing wealth to York through trade of various goods.

York Minster, the cathedral, is a prime example of perpendicular Gothic architecture, constructed mainly from local magnesium limestone.

The Minster features 128 stained-glass windows, making it the largest collection of stained glass in the world.

Black Purbeck marble was commonly used for tombs, particularly for archbishops, in York Minster.

The choir stalls in York Minster were reserved for significant church figures and monks, who were literate members of society.

The King's Screen in York Minster is adorned with fifteen sculptures of English kings, from William the Conqueror to Henry VI.

York was renowned for its Mystery Plays, which were performed outside the Minster to entertain and moralize the public.

The City of York is a treasure trove of medieval culture, offering a deep insight into the history and traditions of Northern England.

The Minster's architecture emphasizes vertical lines, high windows with pointed arches, large rose windows, and decorative fan vaulting.

The stained-glass windows and sculptures in York Minster are the creations of anonymous medieval craftsmen.

The Mystery Plays served a dual purpose of entertainment and moral instruction, warning the populace about the consequences of immoral behavior.