York St William shrine returns to Minster for first time in 500 years

Parts of a 14th-century shrine to St William have been returned to York Minster and are on public display for the first time in almost 500 years, shown in an exhibition that includes loaned fragments and a 3D digital reconstruction.

Parts of a 14th-century shrine to St William have been brought back into York Minster and are on public display for the first time in almost 500 years. The shrine at his tomb was dismantled and buried in the city between 1538 and 1541 during the Reformation and was rediscovered at a later date. The exhibition marks the 800th anniversary of St William's canonisation and brings together carved stone, stained glass and medieval manuscripts connected to him. Fragments of the two-storey stone monument have been loaned by The Yorkshire Museum and are shown alongside a full digital reconstruction. Key facts: - The shrine dates from the 14th century and was dedicated to St William (William Fitzherbert), a 12th-century archbishop of York. - The monument was dismantled and buried between 1538 and 1541 during the Reformation and was later rediscovered. - Recovered fragments have been loaned to York Minster by The Yorkshire Museum and are on display in the new exhibition. - Shrine pieces were scanned in 3D and visualised with technology also used in video games to produce a digital reconstruction. - The exhibition opens to the public from Saturday and coincides with the 800th anniversary of St William's canonisation. Summary: The return of the shrine fragments highlights a longstanding element of the Minster's medieval history and offers new ways to view that past through conservation and digital imagery. The exhibition places stone, stained glass and manuscripts together to reflect St William's role in the cathedral's story. The display is open to the public from Saturday.