Selby Abbey – The 15th Century Onward

A modern grotesque at Selby Abbey

Based on Pevsner’s analysis of the various changes in tracery at Selby Abbey, particularly the chancel and its aisles, the bulk of the construction had been completed by the end of the Decorated Gothic period, which ended c.1350-1380. 

A Perpendicular Gothic window in the north transept

The following Perpendicular Gothic period is generally recognised by its large windows, with horizontal transoms, mullions and rectilinear tracery patterns, which are further emphasised by the use of castellated parapets and crocketted finials. 

The Perpendicular Gothic window on the west front

During this period at Selby Abbey, work was restricted to the insertion of the very large windows on the west front and the north side, with the last addition being the Lathom Chapel in 1465. 

A large Perpendicular Gothic window in the Lathom Chapel

Although I have not seen references to their building, various drawings, paintings and photos up to the time of the great fire in 1906 show large finials to the height of the gable on the west front, and others on the transept and the chancel, which are presumably 15th century in date. 

The parapet and towers added to the west front by John Oldrid Scott

The final shape of the abbey, as it is seen today, is the result of the work by John Oldrid Scott after the great fire, which includes the raising of the crossing tower in 1908, the rebuilding of the south transept in 1912 and the remodelling of the west front and its towers in 1935. 

The south transept

Having spent considerable time closely examining the very many photographs that I took of its exterior, the stone used for all phases of major construction work – from the 12th to the early 20th century - appears to be the same kind of dolomitic limestone, except perhaps for the upper stage of the tower, which is noticeably different in colour from the masonry below it. 

The crossing tower

The blocks are all quite massive, mainly pale cream to yellow in colour and often with differential weathering that gives them a striped appearance, similar to that seen in some of the masonry to St. Laurence’s church in Adwick le Street. When on site or back at home, I have not seen anything that would dissuade me from my opinion that Selby Abbey has essentially been built from a stone that has been quarried from the Cadeby Formation. 

Old and new masonry on the north transept

Although of academic interest, especially since the purported quarry source at Monk Fryston has been infilled and redeveloped with a housing estate, as a building stone specialist, I would like to explore the geology and historic buildings of this area – to satisfy my professional curiosity. 

Restored and unrestored capitals on a window to the south chancel aisle

The recent restoration history of Selby Abbey can be quite clearly seen in the essential repairs to sections of plain ashlar walling, various moulded details to arches, tracery and other architectural details – including some wonderful grotesques and headstops, including that of the current Archbishop of York and his predecessors. 

A headstop depicting the Archbishop of York

The stone used for the modern restoration is much more yellow in colour than the original masonry, and dolomitic limestone from the Highmoor Quarry near to Tadcaster was used for the work that won the Natural Stone Awards in 2010. It also appears that certain repairs have been carried out recently, with the limestone being fresh and unweathered, but details are not known.

Various modern grotesques and stone carvings