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The Normans & early Medieval


York Castle
York was of great strategic importance as it lay at the confluence of Rivers Ouse and Fosse. The Romans established a garrison there and the Vikings created a large bustling community, second only to London in size. After the Norman Conquest of 1068-1069, William the Conqueror established two Motte and Bailey wooden castles in York. York Castle lies between the Rivers Ouse and Fosse and what is now Baile Hill on the South Bank.
Originally built as a motte ( mound) in 1086 with a wooden castle on the top.The wooden tower was burnt to the ground in 1190, along with 150 of York's Jews who perished in the fire (see below). The walls of the stone tower still stand, but the roof and central pillar are gone. Cliffords Tower's stone tower was completed in 1313, only to crack from top to bottom some 50 years later when part of the mound collapsed into the moat.
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 1322, Roger de Clifford was hanged by chains from the wall of the tower for opposing Edward II, and after - falsely as it transpires - it is said that the keep was known as 'Clifford's Tower'.Please click here to see Clifford's Tower under York Historic Sites

Massacre of the Jews in 1190
Richard de Malbis of York was a debtor of Aaron of Lincoln, an influential Jewish banker of the late 12th century. When a fire broke out in the city of York, De Malbis used the opportunity to incite a mob to attack the home of a recently deceased agent of Aaron of Lincoln named Benedict of York, killing his widow and children and burning the house. Joce (Joseph) the leader of the Jewish community of York obtained the permission of the warden of York Castle to allow his wife and children and the rest of the Jews into the castle, where they were probably placed in Clifford's Tower. This was surrounded by the mob, and when the warden left the castle, the Jews in fear would not readmit him. He appealed to the sheriff, who called out the county militia and Clifford's Tower was surrounded for several days. On 16 March 1190 the Tower was set on fire, and many Jews either perished in the flames or took their own lives rather than be attacked by the mob, those who did surrender were killed. In all around 150 Jews died.

At the foot of the steps leading to the Tower, you will find an engraved stone as a reminder of the events in 1190.
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