Does the Minster have any Holy Relics or bodies of Saints?
Yes, in the crypt of the Minster is a stone coffin that contains the remains of St William of York. William was a 12th Century Archbishop credited with one miracle while alive and many after his death. He died, possibly poisoned, in 1154 and was canonised in 1227. Until the reformation his remains were housed in a large shrine in the Quire. The shrine was dismantled completely at some point between 1538 and 1553. During excavations in the 1960’s the coffin was rediscovered and moved to its present location in the crypt. Although revered locally St William of York never achieved the national or international cult status of Thomas Becket. • Fire and York Minster The Minster has suffered badly from fire on many different occasions. The following is a list of fires that have occurred in the Minster and their known or probable causes. • 1984 South Transept Lightning • 1840 Nave Candle left burning in SW tower • 1829 Quire & East End Arson (fire started by Jonathan Martin) • 1753 South Trans
