It is not known where the name Five Sisters originates. It first appeared in print in Francis Drake's 1736 Eboracum; or the History and Antiquities of the City of York. It is possible that it a corruption of Five Cistercians. … See more

The Five Sisters were built c.1250-70. Their creation was funded in part by York's Jewish community, notably the wealthy Aaron of York, leading to the windows being called "the … See more

Having secured sufficient funds, the Five Sisters were restored between 1923 and 1925, overseen by the Minster's consulting architect, See more

In 1935, there was an infestation of deathwatch beetle in the roof of the transept over the Five Sisters window. During extensive repairs the windows were boarded up.
World War II
The windows were … See more

The design consists of five lights featuring a grisaille design comprising 100,000 pieces of glass. Each light measures 16.31m high and 1.56m wide, separated by columns of stone and Purbeck marble, with foliaged capitals. The design includes clusters of grapes … See more

Mrs Helen Drage Little, widow of Colonel Charles Blakeway Little, had seen first-hand the efforts of women during World War I. While in Egypt she had seen wounded soldiers … See more

There are 1,513 names listed on the screens, including Edith Cavell. Little and Grey went to "great lengths to compile as full a list as … See more