Revisiting York Minster’s Rose Window

A skilled team of heritage craftspeople are beginning a significant restoration project at York Minster which will include an up-close analysis of the iconic Rose Window.

41 years ago, a devastating fire tore through York Minster leaving the precious stone and glass of the South Transept heavily damaged. The cathedral’s Rose Window, a symbol of the union between the Yorkist and Lancastrian houses that had looked out over the city for 500 years, was subjected to 450C heat and cracked in 40,000 places. 

The new project will see the Minster's talented stonemasons working alongside experts from the York Glaziers Trust to conserve three huge lancet windows in the cathedral’s South Transept which depict Saints Peter, Paul, Wilfred, and William of York. Due to their positioning, the lancets were not subjected to the same extreme thermal stress as the Rose Window. However, centuries of exposure to the elements have rendered the medieval glass vulnerable to corrosion and paint loss. Revolutionary protective glazing will be added to the windows to help safeguard these precious works of art well into the next century and beyond.  

Professor Sarah Brown, Director of the York Glaziers Trust, explained: “These windows have a history stretching back many hundreds of years. They can be attributed to the workshop of Robert Petty in the late 15th century and have undergone a variety of restorations and additions, as well as being completely removed during the Second World War.  

“It was Peter Gibson OBE, former superintendent of the York Glaziers Trust, who insisted that the Rose Window could be saved after the 1984 fire. At the time, some people saw its perilous condition as an opportunity for a completely new stained glass commission! Thankfully, his advice was heeded and the glaziers worked tirelessly to restore the artwork.  

“It’s a real honour for our team to be back in the South Transept again, both to admire the work of our predecessors and to play our part in ensuring that this masterpiece is preserved for many generations to come.” 

Chris Loughran, the newly-appointed Director of York Minster Fund, said: “The York Minster Fund was created in 1967 during one of the Minster’s greatest challenges in recent history – the threatened collapse of the Central Tower. Since then, we have supported the cathedral through a range of challenges and opportunities, including the restoration following the 1984 fire and the creation of the new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management.  

“We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters who have given generously towards this campaign. In particular, we want to thank the Julia Rausing Trust who awarded us a £500,000 grant in 2024. This generous donation has supported the building of the Minster’s Centre of Excellence, the restoration of three windows in the cathedral's South Transept, and a close analysis of the Rose Window. These projects will deliver far-reaching impact in York Minster and across the heritage sector.” 

It took four years to rebuild and restore York Minster after the 1984 fire. The new scaffolding, which has been erected inside and outside the South Transept, will allow members of the Minster team to access the Rose Window and review the repair works undertaken in this period. The analysis will reveal how the restoration methods and materials have stood the test of time and whether the window needs further repairs.  

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, added: “The South Transept is symbolic of the determination and dedication of all those who have been entrusted with this magnificent building over the centuries. Four decades ago, a multidisciplinary team of skilled craftspeople worked to sensitively restore the cathedral after that devastating fire. They, like all of those who had come before them in the Minster’s history, used the very best tools and techniques available to them at the time, being forward-thinking in their approach to the repairs.  

“We now have a fantastic opportunity to reexamine their work to allow us to better understand the Rose Window and how we might care for it into the future.”