rising above it. The whole structure stood at least in height. It was decorated with small statues in niches throughout and each of the four corner spandrels depicts imagery associated with the Four Evangelists. The latest, principal shrine, located near the Minster's High Altar was built in 1471-1472 and probably designed by Robert Spillesby, the master mason of the Minster from 1466-1473. This later shrine was in the Perpendicular Gothic style made from a darker marble than the rest of the Minster and comprised a large marble pedestal on which a reliquary of William was placed and covered by a wooden canopy. It was , wide and long. There is no evidence of large scale pilgrimage to William's shrines. However, numerous panels from the stained glass window in the Minster depict petitioners and worshippers at the shrines. A lead ampulla found in York and depicting an archbishop on one side has been argued to represent Saint William. The upper face of William's sarcophagus has been worn smooth, probably from the hands of pilgrims touching it. In the 1890s Catholic pilgrims who were part of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom pilgrimage through York were given permission to kiss the shrine. On 22 September 1541 the Privy Council met in York and ordered the Archbishop to demolish all of the shrines in his province. William's shrines were taken apart and buried at Precentor's Court. In 1715 Ralph Thoresby reported that he had acquired some architectural fragments in marble which had been 'enclosed betwixt two walls and in a private House' from Precentor's Court. These were probably the first rediscoveries of fragments of St. William's shrines. Several fragments from 18th century interventions at or near this house were later discovered spread around York including in the gardens near Clifford's Tower and used as domestic furniture. Further discoveries of shrine fragments from Precentor's Court were made in 1882-1883 and 1927-1928. Fragments of both later and earlier shrines were discovered during each excavation. The sarcophagus containing William's remains was rediscovered in 1732 and again in 1968, at which point they were removed. His remains are now held in a shrine in the crypt at York Minster. Parts of the shrines are now in the Yorkshire Museum. This is the only example of a saint's shrine in a museum collection in England. Notes Citations References Further reading 1154 deaths Archbishops of York Archdeacons of