† SITE HOME † GUIDE HOME PAGE† An Introduction † Bells † Chancel † Church Wardens Accounts † Crypt † Font † History † Holy Trinity Chapel † Monuments † The Nave † The Organ † Misericords † Parish Hall † Parish Registers † Priest's Rooms † South Choir Aisle † South Porch † St Michael's Chapel † Transepts † Vicars † War Memorial Door † Acknowledgements†

The wooden ceiling of the Nave which dates from 1520 contains a great variety of interesting bosses. Among them, in the centre opposite the fourth pillar from the west, is to be seen one representing St John of Beverley and King Athelstan. It recalls the benefactions of King Athelstan to the Minster, the shrine of John of Beverley, after the Battle of Brunanburh in 937, which were the foundation of the fame and prosperity of Beverley.

The label stops of the clerestory windows on the south side represent angels bearing the instruments of the Passion, St Veronica and the four Evangelists. Of those on the north side, the third from the west represents the man with the withered hand. These all belong to the original early 15th century work.

The label stops of the north arcade are of special interest because they bear record of the benefactors who helped in the reconstruction of the Church after the fall of the Tower in 1520. Commencing at the west end, those on the respond and the first two pillars facing the Nave read "XLAY AND HYS WYFFE MADE THES TO PYLLORS AND A HALFFE"; and on the north side of the same pillars, "ORATE PRO ANIMABUS JOHIS CROSLAY MERCATORIS ET JOHANNE UXORIS EJUS". On the next two pillars appears "THYS TO PYLLORS MADE GUD WYFFYS GOD REWARD THAYM". On the eastern pillar is "THYS PYLLOR MADE THE MAYNSTRELS", and, facing the pulpit, are five figures of minstrels, one of whom is wearing the Alderman's chain. The Guild of Minstrels between Trent and Tweed met in Beverley at Rogationtide each year to choose an Alderman. The Alderman's chain, a beautiful piece of fifteenth century silverwork, is now part of Beverley's civic regalia.

The label stops of both the respond piers of the south arcade bear the date 1524, marking the completion of the reconstruction. The sculptured heads forming the stops of the south arcade may be portraits. On the south side we may recognise Henry VIII and his first Queen, flanked by jesters.

The colourful kneelers remind us that in a living church each generation makes its own contribution ( Photograph: Alf Child, Ontario, Canada). These have been worked and given by members of the congregation in memory of family and friends. The picture of the kneelers displayed throughout the nave was taken during time of our Flower Festival in 1997.

The present lighting scheme was introduced in 1990 and provides effective illumination with hand-forged coronas in harmony with the building.