The Kings' Screen (the choir screen separating the choir from the nave) at York Minster Cathedral features fifteen kings ranging from William the Conqueror to Henry IV. Let's take it king by king! Here's a brief photo guide to the kings from left to right.
As medieval cathedral choir screens go, I think the York Minster Kings Screen is definitely the most memorable. As I was initially writing the post about things to do in York, I realized I’d taken at least one photograph of every king on the York Minster choir screen. Here’s a post devoted specifically to them, with a photo gallery and a description of each king. We also have another post about things to do and see at York Minster.
Medieval cathedrals commonly have a choir screen (sometimes called a rood screen) separating the nave from the choir area. To our modern ears “screen” may sound like a flimsy partition, but in a medieval cathedral, the choir screen is commonly made of stone or metal and is ornate.
York Minster’s choir screen is the most memorable choir screen that I’ve seen.
The screen includes fifteen expressive carved stone kings ranging from William the Conqueror to Henry VI: seven to the left and eight to the right.
Henry V originally commissioned this fifteenth-century rood screen.
However, he died before its completion. William Hindly, the master mason at York Minster at that time, completed the screen during the reign of Henry VI.
According to this post, the statue of Henry IV has a fascinating history. The original was destroyed in the late 15th century as people had taken to coming to the cathedral to worship the statue, praying and lighting candles to it — unwelcome behavior to the archbishop! Finally, in 1810, a new figure replaced the old.
The Kings of the York Minster Kings’ Screen
Below the big photo of the entire screen (which is, unfortunately, blurry) are individual photos of the kings in order from left to right. You can click on a single picture to open the lightbox to navigate through the images or to read more information about each king.
King by King: The Kings of the York Minster Choir Screen
Here are the kings of the York Minster choir screen from left to right. You may click on the name to open a single image, or you can jump down to the gallery, which has more information about each king.
A distant (and kind of blurry) photo of the Kings Screen at York Minster Cathedral.
The King’s Screen at York Minster
A wide-angle view of the York Minster Cathedral Kings Screen.
William the Conqueror, William II Rufus and Henry Primus (I)
The first three kings (from left to right) on the choir screen: William the Conqueror (1066-1087), William II Rufus (1087-1100) and Henry Primus (1100-1135).
William the Conqueror William Rufus II (1 of 1)
The king on the left is William the Conqueror, holding a sword and a staff. To his right is William II, also holding a sword and staff.
Let’s start with William the Conqueror, then go on to his son, William II in the next photo.
William I (the conqueror), born in Normandy, was king of England from 1066, changing the course of English history.
Henry I
Third from left is Henry I, shown holding a sceptre in his right hand and his left hand over his chest.
Henry I was William the Conqueror’s second son and ruled after his brother, William Rufus, from 1100-1135.
Stephen
Stephen (1135-1154) is fourth from left.
Stephen usurped the throne from Matilda, Henry’s daughter, in 1135. Civil war ensued, which ended in 1153. When Stephen died in 1154, the throne passed to Henry II, Matilda’s son.
Henry II
Henry II is fifth from left. Henry is holding a sword in his right hand and a heart in his left.
Why is Henry II holding a heart? I’m not sure of the answer to this, unless it is that he is the father of Richard the Lionheart.
Henry II ruled England from 1153, but only spent 14 of his 34 years reigning actually in England.
A closeup of Henry III from the York Minster Kings Screen.
Edward I
Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks, ruled England from 1272-1307.
He is shown with sword in right hand and appears to have his left hand in a fist — because he ruled with an iron fist?
Edward II
This somewhat pensive looking king is Edward II, who ruled England from 1307-1327.
Closeup of Edward II
Edward III
Next up is Edward III, king from 1327-1377.
He is holding a scepter in his left and and appears to be pointing with his right hand. I’m not sure what the significance is…perhaps he’s pointing England into the Hundred Years’ War with France?
Closeup of Edward III
Richard II
Richard II is next in line; king of England from 1377-1399.
He is holding a sword in his right hand and appears to be pointing with his left.
Henry IV
Henry IV is next, pictured here with sword in right and scepter in left. He ruled from 1399-1413.
Henry V
Apparently, Henry V didn’t want to be photographed here, and turned out blurry. He ruled from 1413-1422.
The kings’ screen was a project that Henry V commissioned. However, it wasn’t completed until after his death.
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