Treasurer's House
|
16th and 17th centuries.From the 12th to the 16th century a house on this property was the residence of the treasurers of the Minster and portions of the house are incorporated in Gray's Court, now a separate residence. In 1547 the property was surrendered to the crown and eventually sold to Archbishop Holgate. In the second half of the 17th century the old archbishop's palace behind the Minster was destroyed and likely some of the stone was used to build the new house of which the westerly half of the east wing is of that date. Most of the remainder of the house was built in the early 17th century. (Which means of course that the current building was never a treasurer's house!) Gray's Court (behind) was separated in 1720. In 1897 the house was purchased by Mr. Frank Green who in the next 13 years completely renovated it to its current condition. As with many buildings in York, Treasurer's House is built on Roman remains and it is recounted that workmen in the cellars by the side of Chapter House Street saw Roman legionnaires marching past but only visible from the knees up. The Roman via Decumana ran a few feet below the cellar floors. Perhaps they were on their way to Scarborough for a well earned rest! (Ref. 1 and Internet sources.) Photo: taken 18 March 2006. |
