Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 45
to ruin; so much so, that Eddius Stephanus, a writer of
that period, says, " When Wilfred was appointed bishop
of York, the offices of the church of the oratory of God in
that city, first founded and dedicated to God in the days
of the most Christian King Edwin, built of stone, were in
an half ruinous state, and threatened to fall. For the
roofs having become old, were dripping with water ; the
windows were open, birds made their nests, flying in and
out ; and the walls, being neglected, were disfigured with
every kind of stain from weather and the birds. Our holy
prelate, therefore, seeing all these things, like the prophet
Daniel, " was grieved in spirit," because he perceived the
house of God and prayer, made like a den of thieves ; and
he immediately studied how he might repair it, according
to the will of God. First of all renewing the decayed
roof, covering it skilfully with pure lead; he prevented the
entrance of rain and birds through the windows, by means
of glass, through which, however, the light shone within.
Cleansing the walls also, he made them, according to the
language of the prophet, " whiter than snow." And not
only did he adorn that house of God and the altar within,
by various furniture of plate, but also having obtained for
God much land without, removing its poverty by earthly
possessions, he greatly enriched it." According to Roger
de Hovenden, this building was burnt down, or greatly
injured by fire, on Tuesday, the 9th of the Kalends of
May, a.d. 741.
The Minster appears to have been neglected for upwards
of thirty years, when Archbishop Albert began, finished,
and dedicated a new church on the site, which is supposed to
be the most magnificent Saxon church, ever erected.
The poet Alcuin celebrates its beauties ; and alludes to
its lofty columns, majestic windows, portico, and thirty
altars. This edifice was injured when the Norman garrison
at York was attacked by the Danes and English ; and, as
it would appear, was reduced to ashes in the accidental fire
that broke out in this city in 1 1 37. After the fire of 1 829, the