Selby Abbey is classed as a Major Church, one of the largest parishes churches in England. Beverly Minster is larger as is Holy Trinity, Hull, which has recently been upgraded and renamed as Hull Minster. I’ve read a novel where the author needed a cathedral setting, had to invent one and chose Selby. The Abbey is is larger than several cathedrals and has a suffragan bishop in the See of York, so the fictitious elevation wasn’t unfounded 😅

It was founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069 and subsequently built by the de Lacy family. It is said that the abbey was founded when Benedict saw three swans on a lake in Selby, and he saw it as a sign of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and that is why the official crest of Selby Abbey is three swans.

1969 was the 9th centenary of the founding of the Abbey and HM Queen Elizabeth II presented the Maundy Money there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Maundy

I remember standing at our front window and watch her drive past on the way to Leeds to catch the plane back to London. The plane had flown up without her, the train she arrived in went back without her, and the Royal Rolls Royce had to travel both ways just for her to drive around in when she was here. What annoyed me most about this extravagance was that a power line was laid on to Barlow Station just in case she decided to stay there overnight, it had no electricity at that time. It would’ve been a good thing for the village if it hadn’t been taken away after she left 😠

I moved down to Cornwall shortly afterwards so missed seeing Freddy Truman captain a Selby 11 against Yorkshire. I was informed that he regularly visited the place I was working in Cornwall with the International Cavaliers, but they didn’t come the first year I was there and the second year I was on holiday in London 🙁

I also remember a curate of Selby Abbey first footing at my home one New Years Eve. My parents were away but had given permission for us to have a party as long as New Year was properly observed, which it was. The curate created quite a furore in the local press when he was married, he changed the wedding vows and faced the congregation rather than the altar. Nobody would have blinked an eye these days, even in the’60s it probably wouldn’t have got so much attention if it had been anyone else 😅

A notable feature of the abbey is the fifteenth-century Washington Window, featuring the heraldic arms of the ancestors of George Washington, the first president of the United States. The design, featuring three red stars above two red bands on a white shield, formed the model for the flag of the District of Columbia.

Shortly after midnight on 19 October 1906 a fire broke out in the organ chamber due to the installation of a new kinetic gas engine to provide power to the new organ. Initial reports that the new organ equipment was to blame for the fire were later proved inaccurate.The fire destroyed the roof of the choir and the belfry and peal of eight bells was also destroyed. All of the interior fittings were also destroyed but thanks to the actions of the local fire brigade, the fourteenth-century stained glass in the East window was saved.The fire destroyed the roof of the choir and the belfry and peal of eight bells was also destroyed. All of the interior fittings were also destroyed but thanks to the actions of the local fire brigade, the fourteenth-century stained glass in the East window was saved.

The organ was first restored in 1950 and in the early 1960s a series of LP recordings brought the organ to international attention. Further alterations took place and a major restoration of the organ was carried out in 2016.

The Abbey also hosts concerts by the brass bands that have such a large place in Yorkshire culture, like the Grimethorpe Colliery Band made famous in the movie “Brassed Off” (which I have yet to watch in its entirety)

Early this century, while I was living close to the Abbey, someone smashed a stained glass window to break in and steal whatever they could find to raise money. Although I don’t regard myself as a Christian I was outraged at this vandalism of what I regard as part of my heritage. I messaged the vicar and offered my assistance in fundraising for the restoration, he did respond but didn’t follow up on my offer.