Introduction to Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre

Brass rubbing is a simple and rewarding way of capturing a small piece of history.

Part of England's unique heritage, brasses illustrate the knights and ladies, the scholars, the merchants and religious icons of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Children and adults alike can produce a beautiful brass rubbing, in less than an hour, to be framed for home or as part of a school project.

History of Brass Rubbing

During the 14th and 15th centuries, York was one of England's three main centres of memorial brass manufacture ( together with Lincoln and London ). In workshops near York Minster, brasses were engraved by hand and distributed all over the North.

Medieval churches throughout England contain over seven thousand monumental brasses. These unique portraits are a valuable record of costume, armour, heraldry and family history of that period.
The Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre, is set in two converted almshouses built in 1899 to commemorate Sir Joseph Terry, in the gardens of what is now Lady Anne Middleton's Hotel. Our collection of Medieval and Tudor brass facsimiles are available for visitors to make rubbings, with all the specialist materials and friendly instruction on brass rubbing techniques.

 

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Education

Brass rubbing provides the ideal complement to history teaching with a wealth of material from Medieval and Tudor times. Arts teachers and groups find inspiration at all levels, from primary to college age. Groups of the blind and those with other handicaps find this simple craft especially rewarding. Many other groups come simply for an enjoyable day out, and each student has the benifit of producing their own rubbing to take home or back to school.

Teacher's notes will be given to accompanying teachers on arrival.

We have over 45 replica brasses across a variety of sizes to choose from, ranging from historical characters knights, ladies, heraldic animals, kings, queens, warriors, priests and poets - one of the largest collections in the country.

We also stock an interesting range of jewellery, small gifts, refreshments and confectionary .

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Group Bookings

 
 

The Centre is an ideal resource for schools and other groups, particularly for the teaching of history and art .

Evening groups are welcome by appointment -Please ring 01904 630456 for further details.

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How to Find Us

The centre is
situated in
Sir Joseph
Terry Almshouse
(1899),in the
gardens of Lady
Anne Middleton's
Hotel
(1659),
in Skeldergate.
This is 5 minutes
walk from the
city centre
over the Ouse
or Skeldergate
bridges. See
map for details
and parking.

Yorvic Brass Rubbing Centre

Sir Joseph Terry's Almshouse ( 1899 ) 53 Skeldergate,York YO1 1DS

Tel: 01904 611570 Fax: 01904 613043

E-Mail: info@brass-rubbing.com

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Opening Times

March to October       
Monday to Saturday 
10 am - 5 pm 
November to February       
Monday to Saturday
10 am - 4 pm 
Easter to October       
Sunday's 
10 am - 4 pm 

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Brass Rubbings

 

 

Sir Thomas Bullen -

 

 

 

(1538) Hever, Kent. Father of Anne Boyleyn, in full Garter Robes, with griffon footrest.

 

 

 

0.75m x 1.5m Order

 

 

 

 

John & Lettys Terry Family -

 

 

(1524) St.John Maddermarket, Norwich. Elaborate Family Brass with children, inscriptions and coats of arms.

 

 

0.75m x 0.97m Order

 

 

Robert The Bruce

 

(1889) Dunfermline Abbey, Fife, Scotland. An imposing Victorian Brass, Manufactured in Sheffield, replicating medieval style. Bruce was originally buried in the abbey in 1329. the brass was created after the rediscovery of his remains during the building of the new Abbey church.

 

 

 

0.38m x 0.9m and 0.25m x 0.47m Order

 

Margaret Bernard Peyton -

 

 

 

(1484) Islesham, Cambridgeshire. The first wife of Thomas Peyton, wearing an ornate cut velvet gown, butterfly head-dress and elaborate necklace.

 

 

 

0.38m x 0.9m

and

0.25m x 0.47m Order

 

Madonna and child -

 

 

(c. 1462) Nivelles, Belgium. Detail from brass to Abbess Marguerite de Scornay. Magnificent example of Flemish craftsmanship.

 

 

 

 

0.38m x 0.55m Order

 

Henry Bouchier-

 

 

(1601) Little Easton, Essex. Armoured figure with garter robes, eagle foot-rest and elaborate family head decoration.

 

 

0.75m x 0.95m Order

   

Dame Radcliffe Wingfield -

(1601) Easton, Surrey. Attractive Elizabethan figure with decorated gown and collar.

 

0.43m x 1m Order

 

Isabel Bouchier, Countess of Essex -

 

 

(1483) Matching figure to husband above, with stylish gown, detailed eagle foot-rest and head rest supported by angels.

 

 

 

0.38m x 0.95m Order

 

Edward The Black Prince -

 

 

(d. 1376) Fought at Crecy aged 16 and achieved other victories in France notably at Poitiers. A modern brass replicating his effigy in Canterbury Cathedral, With full armour, royal heraldic surcoat and bear footrest.

 

 

 

0.38m x 0.71m Order

 

Richard I - Lion heart -

 

 

(d. 1199) Warrior king who led the Third Crusade, was imprisoned in Austria and died fighting in France. A modern brass, replicating contemporary effigies, with chain-mail armour, lion foot-rest, and three lion design on shield.

 

 

0.38m x 0.85m Order

 

Elizabeth I -

 

 

(d.1603) Modern brass based on contemporary portrait.

 

 

0.25m x 0.47m Order

 

 

 

Charles I -

 

 

(d.1649) Modern brass based on contemporary portrait.

 

 

 

 

 

0.25m x 0.47m Order

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Links

click here

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Lady Anne Hotel

Skeldergate
York
YO1 6DS,

Telephone:
(01904) 630456 / 611570