CHAPTER HI

APPEARANCE

A, GENERAL APPEARANCE

A GENERAL view of fifteenth-century York
(" Everwyk " in Anglo-French and " Ebora-
cum " in I/atin) would give the impression of a very
compact city within fortifications. Almost immedi-
ately it would be noticed how the three great
elements of national society were very clearly
reflected in the general appearance. First, the
Chunk, the tremendous and ubiquitous power of
which is emphasised by the strikingly beautiful
and wonderfully constructed massive Minster, but
so recently completed, standing, with its more than
five hundred feet of length, its central tower two
hundred feet high, most of its roofs a hundred feet
or more above the ground, dwarfing the petty,
storied dwellings* This is but one great churck
In brilliant contrast in another quarter, adjoining
the city, is the great abbey church of St. Mary,
crowned by a lofty and magnificent spire rising
above the equally fine conventual buildings. All
over the city are seen the churches and buildings of
other monastic and religious houses. The background
of dwellings and shops, built in a similar style, is cut
by a few winding streets, and studded with the
towers, spires, and roofs of the multitude of parish
churches. The intense and far-reaching influence

6