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Thought I'd share another fascinating York building that picks up on some aspects of the A223 module chapter covering the theme of religious (in)tolerance in the early modern period.

This is the frontage of the Bar Convent that stands just outside the walls of the city by the Micklegate Bar. The openly religious building on the left is a 19th century addition, built at a time when the catholic school which it housed could be openly acknowledged. The 18th century frontage was however designed as a grand, but entirely secular, town house (1786-9) - with nothing to indicate the interior.....

...which contains this beautiful chapel. 

Apparently the dome was designed to be entirely invisible from outside view. 

The convent was established in 1686 as the basis for a catholic school - with the chapel being being built in the 1770's. By that time the convent must have been an open secret within the city, but not something that could be too publicly visible.

The chapel also contains a gruesome reminder of 16th century religious persecution - in the form of a sacred relic, the preserved hand of St Margaret Clitherow. Margaret was the wife of a York butcher and lived on the Shambles, which is probably York's biggest tourist trap after the Minster (almost no-one notices or explores the house, which is now a religious shrine - too busy looking for Harry Potter merchandise!! 😂) When accused of harbouring catholic priests (she had been imprisoned previously for failing to attend protestant services) she refused to enter a plea and so was 'pressed' under rocks until she died. 

If you're ever in York, do think about checking out the Bar Convent as it's a hidden gem - it has an excellent museum and exhibition.