aerial photograph of Howden Minster, Howden Yorkshire England UK. A church has stood on this site since Saxon times although most of what we see of the Minster today dates from the 13th and 14th Centuries. Not being classed as a monastery meant the church escaped destruction during Henry VIII's dissolution f the monasteries but in 1548 it fell victim to Henry's Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries. Although not totally destroyed it was allowed to fall partially into ruin with the roof collapsing in 1696. The Nave continued to be used for church surfaces and has survived intact.