THE spectacular 128 stained glass windows of York Minster date back nine centuries and contain the largest collection of medieval stained glass in the country.

And now the history and stories behind the internationally important collection can be explored through Stained Glass at York Minster, a newly-released book by York Glaziers Trust director Sarah Brown.

The revised and updated guide begins with evidence for the glazing of the pre-Conquest Minster and the earliest surviving glazing from the 12th-century church, before exploring in detail the Minster’s many famous windows including the Five Sisters, Great West Window and recently restored Great East Window.

The book has been released as part of York Glaziers Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations which take place this year. The Trust, which is the oldest and largest specialist stained glass conservation studio in Britain, was established on 20 July 1967.

Sarah, who has been the director of trust since 2008, said: “York Minster’s stained glass is one of the cathedral’s great treasures and has been admired by people for centuries, from medieval pilgrims to the 21st-century visitor.”

The book includes more than 100 colour illustrations and a foreword by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull.

Stained Glass at York Minster is published by Scala Arts and Heritage Publishers and is available from the York Minster Shop, and online at yorkminster.org, and yorkglazierstrust.org/shop priced at £15.