Clifford's Tower
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13th century.The first castle on this site (the ness between the Ouse and the Foss) was built by the Normans in either 1067 or 1069. Two castles were built but the one on the south of the River (on Baile Hill) disappeared very quickly. The first castles were of wood on mottes. In 1190 the Jews of York were attacked and in the riots those who could fled to the castle where they shut themselves in. When the castle was attacked some of the Jews committed suicide whilst those who surrendered with a promise of safety were massacred as they came out. Some rebuilding in stone took place at the beginning of the 13th century, but not until the mid 13th century was the whole castle rebuilt in stone. Repairs were made periodically. The castle fell out of use by the 16th century and an attempt to demolish the tower in 1596 was vigorously opposed by the City Council. The castle was garrisonned again in the mid 17th century during the Civil War. In the late 17th century the tower was set on fire (perhaps on purpose) and never repaired. During the 18th century the main castle buildings were replaced by the Assize Courts and prisons. Demolition was again considered in the 1820s but again did not occur. The tower was restored in 1902 and 1920-23. (Refs. 1c and 2) Photo: taken 4 June 2007 |
