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York Castle, commonly known as Clifford's Tower is
the keep of the larger castle that used to stand on the site.
Before the stone castle was a wooden motte and bailey structure, the keep standing on the
earthwork of the motte.
The Clifford family were for many years the constables of York and the name is thought to
have come from them.
This photo was taken from the park by the river bank, by St George's car park.
Below left: A closer view from the Castle Plain. There used to
be a prison here where the short-stay car park is now. |
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We at first tried to park on this car park but then
found that 3 hours was the maximum stay.
Right: A daunting view up the steep slope of the bank.
The bank was seriously undermined and damaged by water during a flood of the River Fosse in
1315-1316 and again in January 1360 when the damage caused two large cracks in the south face
"from top to bottom". |
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There are few rooms left intact unfortunately.
The paydesk is situated in one such and a chapel still exists above, but is no longer open
to the public.
Neither are the two latrines, whose closed doors are seen at the right of the photo to the
right. |
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There were two rooms in the open space, which had a roof supported by a central
hexagonal pillar, the base of which holds the display of panels telling the castle's history.
Originally then, the keep was completely roofed. |
| The superb views from the walls make the climb up the narrow spiral
staircase well worth the trouble.
Below us are the women's prison, left and the old debtors' prison, facing us. Both of these
now make up a large museum of folk and Yorkshire life; the Castle Museum. Well worth a look
round!
To the right, just out of view, the Assize Courts are still in use as the County Court,
making the third side of the square that now marks the space where the bailey of the original
castle stood. |
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There are two spiral staircases, at either side of the gatehouse. English
Heritage have wisely established a one-way system! Passing someone on these staircases is
not pleasant!
The roof covers the afore-mentioned chapel. Apparently it is possible to see inside through
a window, but I only read this in the guidebook after we had left...
Maybe next time then... |
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The castle had only a single well, seen here close by
the wall.
As we left an American was hefting a huge sword from the shop and considering paying over
100 pounds for it. I had to wonder what the airport security staff would make of it...
Anti-Jewish feelings were stirred during the time of the Crusades. The fact that many people
owed money to Jewish moneylenders had a great deal to do with the events of March 1190. |
| The York Jews were
placed in the castle for their own safety but grew distrustful of the Constable. A mob gathered
and many chose to commit suicide rather than be murdered, mirroring the tragedy of Masada when
the Romans found suicide had taken all the inhabitants.
Those who chose to renounce their faith came out only to be massacred by the mob. |
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