The Chapter House & Vestibule of York Minster

The Chapter House was probably built during the 1270s and 1280s. The name of the master mason who designed this remarkable building is unknown but he was probably an Englishman familiar with contemporary English court style and French Gothic architecture. The inspiration for this beautiful building may have come from John le Romeyn who, before becoming Archbishop of York, had been a professor in Paris. The design of the vault was altered after the building was begun and instead of being stone and supported by the usual central column, a unique timber roof structure was constructed which is, in effect, a Gothic dome. Around the walls are 44 stalls embellished with Purbeck marble shafts and 284 stone capitals and pendants carved in the form of foliage, heads, scenes and animals. The building is connected to the cathedral by the vestibule, which was built some years later and is also decorated with many fine carvings. Both Chapter House and vestibule contain much of the original 13th century painted glass.

A major restoration of the Chapter House was undertaken by the architect Sidney Smirke who was responsible for removing most of the remaining traces of medieval painting and gilding and installing the cast-iron heating grills and Minton tile floor. Under his direction about a fifth of the the sculpture was restored by George Peter White and the ceiling painted with its present design.

The Chapter House is still used for its original purpose, as the meeting place for the Dean & Chapter, the governing body of the Cathedral, now consisting of 30 canons. Over the centuries sovereigns held court, ecclesiastical enquiries determined the fate of heretics and coins were minted here. Today it is a popular venue for concerts and exhibitions.