History of York

The history of York Minster during the later period of the Anglo-Saxons and the transition into the Viking period is not well documented.  We know the Danes captured York in 868 and that the Danish King Guthfrith was buried in the 895 incarnation of York Minster. 

By the tenth century, some Danes were converting to Christianity, and York Minster remained the centre for Christian worship.  However, the library and school did disappear during this period.

The York Gospels were made in Canterbury in c1000 and brought to York in 1020.  This is one of only ten pre-conquest Gospel books to have survived the Reformation and is still used today for the Canons and Archbishop to swear their allegiance on.