The Fire of 1829

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A great part of the interior of York Cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1829. The work of restoration was entrusted to Sir Robert Smirke, and the expense defrayed by public subscription.

In order to give security to the fabric it was found necessary to rebuild the walls above the arches of the choir, and to restore the cornice and battlements. In carrying out these works the spirit and general style of the ancient architecture was adhered to as carefully as possible.

The altar-screen is entirely new, but it is moulded and enriched in the same manner as the old one, the same style of execution having been adopted in the sculpture.

The designs for the highly enriched and elaborate carved-work of the stalls and seats of the choir were entrusted to artists who had had the opportunity on several occasions of making accurate drawings of these and the other parts of the cathedral.

Next page: Dimensions and Exterior

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