 After Jonathan Martin 's arson attack on York Minster in 1829 caused major damage , there were proposals by the dean and chapter to take the opportunity of the destruction to restructure the interior of the building . Etty was prominent in the effort to resist the redesign and to restore the building to its original state . A campaign led by Etty and other York luminaries was successful , and the plans were eventually defeated in February 1831 . 
