In 2026, 800 years since his canonisation, York continues to honour St William’s life and legacy. The St William Window of York Minster is one of the greatest surviving English works of art – a monumental stained-glass narrative created by master glazier John Thornton c. 1414. The window’s subject is the life and miracles of St William of York, a twelfth century Archbishop who died in 1154, buried at the east end of the nave. Miracles were reported at his tomb from 1177. In 1226, in recognition of these miracles and devotion, Pope Honorius III made him a saint. The 95 scenes of his life and miracles form one of the largest cycles of the life of a saint in existence. The modern conservation of the window, underpinned by ground-breaking historical research, enabled the unravelling of its complex narrative and allowed the repaired and conserved glass to be re-assembled correctly for the first time since its creation. It is now possible to read the window as originally envisaged by glass artist John Thornton. Professor Christopher Norton of the University of York will present the results of his painstaking analysis as he traces the story of St William’s life and miracles as depicted in the window. Since the enormous window is not easy to study in the Minster, this will be an opportunity to see the panels in comfort as projected via high-quality digital photographs. 

York Civic Trust runs a varied programme of events for Members throughout the year. Our events are a chance to see York differently, on tours which open doors rarely unlocked and talks which reveal the city’s hidden histories.