York Castle
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Cliffords_Tower_from_behind.jpg
York Castle is an area of York near the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and the Foss. The Castle was later dismantled, but the site is of Clifford's Tower, a tower built atop a Norman bailey, the courts, Yorkshire museum and former prisons.
History
York was a strategic importance being the location of a crossing of the River Ouse, and the confluence of Rivers Ouse and Fosse. The Romans established a garrison there. After the Norman Conquest of 1068-1069, William the Conqueror established two Motte and Bailey wooden castles in York. York Castle between the Rivers Ouse and Fosse and what is now Baile Hill on the South Bank.
The wooden tower was burnt to the ground in 1190, along with 150 of York's Jews who perished in the fire.
England_york_cliffords_tower_inside.jpg
The tower was rebuilt in stone between 1245 and 1265. The castle's bailey walls, towers, gates, bridges, two halls, a chapel, a kitchen and a prison were all built at this time.
The name Clifford’s Tower was first recorded in 1596. Before then it was called the Great Tower.
In recent times, the surrounding area of Clifford's Tower has been considered for retail development. Some citizens, visitors, academics, environmentalists, local businesspeople and Jewish groups have opposed the development with some success, winning a lengthy and bitter Public Inquiry in 2003.
External links
- http://www.castlegate.net/CASTLES/YORK/
- Castle Area Campaign in the City of York (http://www.yorkcastle.com)