On all my visits to the Minster I had thought that the Dragon’s head was a recent addition, until I looked into it further on my recent visit…
It is thought to be part of a medieval mechanism that raised a font cover that has long since disappeared.
This is almost certainly the remains of an elaborate lifting mechanism for raising, by way of a chain through the dragon’s mouth, the 50ft (15.2m) high cover known to have adorned the medieval font, but lost at the Reformation. *
*From the York Minster guide book.
PS: I have amended my typo as per the first comment 
Methinks they’re not very good at converting feet to metres. 158.2m is 419.029 ft, 50 ft is 15.24m or at least that was how it worked out not long ago.
It is me that isn’t very good at typing (or rather proof reading)…
It should read (15.2m)
It is nice to know that someone is reading my posts properly
When will you go to Rosslyn, Cherie?
I would love to go there
But even if I get the chance, no photographs are allowed!!!
Chartres was an the cards this year, but I didn’t quite make it…
So little of the pre-reformation decoration exists. I must get off my butt and go visit the Wenhaston Doom
I had not heard of that before, I had to google to find out about it. It looks really interesting.
Dragon’s Head? I’m still basking in the lighting of this image, Cherry.
The lighting was wonderful when I visited the sun kept going in and out of the clouds and I had to keep being quick with my camera to capture some of the spectacular effects.
The design of this is so ingenious and well thought out – they were clever in the olden days.
The whole idea fascinates me, I would to see what it looked like in tact.
It’s incredible how ancient the structure is. Amazing – really and truly!!!
Some of these buildings are just awe inspiring.
I never cease to to admire!
It is a fine building and very interesting.