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Beverley Minster, Holy Trinity, Hull & Swine in the East Riding of Yorkshire. In the 13th century, the central tower collapsed and was never rebuilt. Improvements to the choir were made during the 16th and 18th century, and medieval glass which was shattered by a storm of 1608 was meticulously replaced in 1725. The Thornton family, great craftsmen of the early 18th century, were responsible for the font and the west door. St. John of Beverley was one of the leaders of the Northumbrian Church following the conversion of the North to Christianity in the 620's and 630's. According to later tradition he was born at Harpham near Driffield, and he was certainly Bishop of Hexham (687-706) and then York (706-c.714). In old age he retired to a monastery he had founded in a secluded spot called by Bede Inderawuda, 'in the wood of Deira' (an old name for East Yorkshire), where he died in 721. Tradition identified this place with Beverley, probably correctly; certainly a major church stood on this site before the Norman Conquest, as excavations have confirmed, and John's tomb seems always to have been here. |
Alfred's grandson, King Athelstan, is said to have prayed for success at his tomb, as a result of which he destroyed a coalition of his enemies in a great battle in 937. In 1138 John's banner was one of the Northern banners behind which the men of Yorkshire marched to beat an invading Scottish army near Northallerton. By 1266 it was the custom that when the King summoned an army, the Minster sent one man with the banner; the banner was also lent to at least four English Kings to help them defeat their enemies. In 1415 King Henry V won the Battle of Agincourt on the Feast of St. John's translation (25th October); afterwards the King visited John's shrine to give thanks,and made him one of the patron saints of the Royal family.