York Minster: New exhibition to explore connection between the Monarchy and the Minster

From the conversion of Anglo-Saxon King Edwin to Christianity in 627 AD - when the first Minster was built - to King Charles III’s upcoming visit to give the Maundy Money, York Minster has been at the heart of the North’s relationship with the royal family for nigh on 1,400 years.
Victoria Finan
By Victoria Finan
Published 25th Mar 2023, 05:00 BST

And now a new exhibition is set to celebrate the ancient links between monarchy and Minster as the region prepares to mark the coronation.

Majesty: Monarchy and York Minster includes treasures from the reigns of multiple monarchs, including Elizabeth I, King Charles II and Queen Anne.

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Central to the exhibition is the Minster’s stunning Coronation chair.

Head Verger Alex Carberry moves a chair known as the coronation chair, that has been in the possession of York Minster from circa 1550 and is part of the royal treasures from the Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.Head Verger Alex Carberry moves a chair known as the coronation chair, that has been in the possession of York Minster from circa 1550 and is part of the royal treasures from the Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.
Head Verger Alex Carberry moves a chair known as the coronation chair, that has been in the possession of York Minster from circa 1550 and is part of the royal treasures from the Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.

According to tradition, the chair was used by Anglo Saxon kings, and may have been sat in by Richard III. It is now used for the crowning of Archbishops.

Other highlights include Chinese silk gifted to Queen Victoria on her wedding day which has been transformed into burses and veils used in preparation for the celebration of Holy Communion.

Dr Helen Rawson, the Minster’s head of collections and interpretation said: “We’re so thrilled to be having the King and Queen Consort distributing the Maundy, and this exhibition really focuses on our royal collections.

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"We feel very priveliged that he has chosen York Minster for his first Maundy distribution. He’s been here on lots of occasions, in the 1970s when the central tower of York Minster was having repairs, and he’s been back several times to see conservation work on the stained glass, which I know he’s got a passion for.”

The royal treasures from York Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.The royal treasures from York Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.
The royal treasures from York Minster's historic collections, ahead of a new exhibition at the Minster, in celebration of King Charles III's forthcoming Coronation.

Speaking about the exhibition, Dr Rawson continued: “We’ve brought together materials from centuries of the Minster’s history.

“I love the gorgeous ecclesiastical robes given by the Chinese emperor to Queen Victoria on her wedding day - I understand they were displayed in the royal bedchamber. It has such fine embroidery.

“About a century after they were made, Queen Mary displayed the fabric at the Royal School of Needlework, and the Dean of York saw them and asked if he could purchase it for the Minster.

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“He had them made into robes which are now too fragile to be used.”

Other artefacts of significance in the exhibition include a royal pardon issued by Charles II to Thomas Strangeways of Pickering Lythe for his actions in the Civil War, a banking bond signed by Queen Elizabeth I, and the page of a guestbook signed by Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the Minster in 1972.

The late Queen last visited the Minster in 2012 to hand out maundy money, along with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice, and coins from the service are also on display.

A Yorkshire Post colour supplement from the coronation of King George VI is also showcased, ahead of the coronation of his grandson Charles in May.

Related topics:York MinsterCharles IIIElizabeth IIMinster