The Glazing of the St William Window in York Minster

Abstract

The heraldry of the donors depicted in stained glass along the base of the St William window is reassessed, and a date of c. 1415 suggested for the glazing instead of the hitherto accepted date of c. 1421–3. A problem in the heraldry is discussed, and two possible solutions are proposed. The one preferred here involves merely a change in plan during the actual period of glazing; the alternative is linked with a theory that the transeptal bays were altered at a later date and the glazing redistributed. The architectural evidence for this is unsatisfactory and the glazing of the transepts does not support it.