GCMW8J Eboracum Monasterium (Multi-cache) in Yorkshire, United Kingdom created by St John of Beverley

This cache has been archived.

Dalesman: This cache has been disabled for some time and as the owner has not repaired/replaced I am archiving it.

Guidelines:[i] "You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to maintain proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable amount of time - normally a few weeks - in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing."[/i]

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Many thanks,
DalesmanX

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05/11

GCMW8J ▼

A cache by St John of Beverley Message this owner

Hidden : 2/20/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The Cache follows Archbishop Walter de Gray who in the first half of the 13th century started building the gothic Cathedral we nowadays see in York. We are in the year of the Lord 1244.

In the morning having been dressed by his servants, Archbishop Walter de Gray is served his breakfast consisting of some bread, beef and watered down beer. His chaplain enters the hall informing him of the news of the day whilst de Gray plays with his hounds as he is not really interested of the chatter of the town. Eventually he rises, waits for his cloak to be brought to him, and steps out of his palace.
You can see the remains of the mediaeval palace of the Archbishops where you are standing right now. These days their palace is in Bishopthorpe some 10 miles south of York on the banks of River Ouse (worth a boat-trip).
Question: When was the wall of the mediaeval palace restored? Year: abcd
Goto: N 53°57.dcb – W 001°04.b(d-a)(a+a)

Together with his reluctant chaplain de Gray walks down for morning prayer. The two of them say morning prayer, the chaplain thinking of his father who is in St.Leonard’s hospital. Walter de Gray’s thoughts wander off anticipating the problems he will have to discuss and solve in St.William’s College later that day.
You are now outside the place of Walter de Gray’s morning prayer, where today the famous “York Gospel” lies hidden away. This is a Gospel book dating from the 10th century, which is brought out only for the enthronement of a new Archbishop.
Question: When did Richard III invest his son as Prince of Wales? Year: efgh
Goto: N 53°57.(f+h)b(g-c) – W 001°04.gb(g+e)

Here the Archbishop meets the Canon Precentor and asks him to travel to a village nearby to sort out some problems in the parish there.
Walter de Gray involved the residentiary Canons in administering the diocese. He also insisted that they live at least half a year at the Minster to attend Matins, Vespers and Mass. Some of the Residentiary Canons of the Minster still live in this exact place and so did I some years ago (in 3a).
Question: How many red doors can you see, standing in the middle of the courtyard? Answer: i
Goto: N 53°57.d(h-a)(d-i) – W 001°04.ge(i+h)

On his way he passes by the octagonal Chapter House where he was elected several years ago (the present Chapter house wasn’t build in de Gray’s time, but there was a previous one on the same site). Walter de Gray walks down to the complex of buildings where the minor clergy live. Here he has a meeting with a couple of them wanting to appoint them to several parishes in the diocese.
Nowadays the building is a conference center owned by the Minster. You may get lunch here just as the Archbishop may have done.
Question: When was the college erected? First year: jklm
Goto: N 53°57.(i+j)(k-f)(d-m) – W 001°04.c(l-k)d

After having had lunch Walter steps out and nearly gets run over by a man looking for him. They both go to that man’s place of work. The Archbishop is discussing how the north transept will be built: Whether it should have columns of Purbeck marble as well as how high the lancet windows could be.
Behind the left gate is where the windows of the Minster are repaired and releaded. Every single window has to be releaded every 150 years. The right gate normally stands open and it’s worth looking inside as this work continues to this day.
Question: How many little windows has the whole wall with the two red gates? (Count all the windows, not sets of windows). Answer: no
Goto: N 53°57.(g-j)ol – W 001°04.b(n-a)(n+l)

Both now go into the Minster to have a look at the place where Walter’s tomb is to be placed after his death. Inside they look up to the wooden vaulting and agree that the bosses could have been more colourful.
Go inside yourself and have a look at the so called colourful Blue Peter bosses designed by pupils after the great fire of 1984. Go to the east side of the south transept and find the tomb of Walter de Gray. You won’t have to pay entrance. Once you are in the Minster you should have a look around though: All three gothic periods to be seen: The early English Transepts, the Decorated nave and Perpendicular choir. Also look into the Chapter House with all it’s carvings!
Question: How many pillars has Walter de Gray’s tomb? Answer: p
Goto: N 53°57.(l+e)o(n-h) – W 001°04.p(c-i)l

The Archbishop then leaves the Minster for town, going out of the Minster Liberty to meet his friend Owen Archer, his apothecary wife and his two Godchildren (this scene comes from the books series Owen Archer mysteries by Candace Robb worth reading if you are interested in history and York).
Question: For how many years were there posts at the entrance to the Minster liberty? Answer: qrs
Goto N 53°57.(q+j)fc – W 001°04.pg(j-s)

Back from his visit in town Walter goes to have a look at the old Norman parts of the Cathedral. He is wondering what the gothic Cathedral will look like. His heart warmed by this thought he considers getting a big heart build into the west end and makes a mental note to speak to the master stonemason whom he had met earlier. He hears the bells in the tower ringing and hurries inside for Evensong.
You should come back before 5 p.m. to go to Evensong (about 40 minutes, free entry) yourself. It’s something not to be missed!
Question: How many steps lead to the double wing door? Answer: t
Goto N 53°57.dpt – W 001°04.(d+s)r(l+j)

After having been to Evensong Walter de Gray walks out of town on a more mysterious errand. First he goes to say a short prayer hoping not to be seen by others.
Question: How old was Philip Appleyard when he died? Answer: uv
Goto: N 53°57.dgk – W 001°04.ufm

Walter de Gray hurries off, looking anxiously that no one is following, heading towards a hidden place of that busy town where he has hidden away parts of his treasure with which he intends building the Cathedral. He just has to remember the number of the lock, but he has thought of a way to remember the number: abcd+efgh+ijkl+mnop-qrst+uv+mn+d
In fact during the second world war, good parts of the minster glass windows were hidden underneath the long structure stretching (to our right) above you.
Well then, the final hiding place isn't in the nicest area of York, the task though was to find a safe place for the final. This place I hope it is safe enough! Enjoy the cache and please accept the place of the final.
Whilst the box waits for replacement you can email the number you get and will be allowed to log as found.
Open the lock with the number Walter de Gray had thought of.
If you don't want to go to the pace, where the final is hidden, you can send me an email with the number and log as found after my return mail.

After the visit to his treasure the Archbishop walks back to his Minster and enjoys the rest of the day in its vicinity.
I hope you do the same and, please, go to Evensong, you definately will enjoy it!