BuildingClifford's Tower > Review
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Clifford's Tower, York
micksheff (38)
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Clifford's Tower stands on the top of a green, grassy mound of earth right in the heart of York's town centre. It has the appearance of a miniature castle, but it is actually all that now remains of the former keep of the castle that once stood on the level ground below here. This site at ground level is now occupied by three different large buildings, two of which form the York Castle Museum and the other is now used as the town's court building.
It is obvious at first sight why such a defence would originally been built in this location. As one of the highest points above sea level in York this position would have afforded views for many miles. It also lies very close to the River Ouse, which would have been the most likely way of approach by any unwelcome visitors.
York has a rich and vibrant history. In Roman times there was a huge settlement here called Eboracum and as a mark of the importance of this Roman Fort the Roman's protected their town with a huge wall that circled their Fort, today the York City Walls are incredibly well preserved and serve as just one of many reminders of the town's past. Clifford's Tower would have been, and still is today, one of the few vantage points within the walled in part of the town that offers an elevated view beyond these walls.
Access to Clifford's Tower is via 55 very steep steps that have been dug deep into the grassy hillside. Looking at Clifford's Tower from the bottom of these steps it is apparent that it would be almost impossible to reach the tower by any other means.
The steepness of the steps does mean that unfortunately this attraction is not accessible for disabled visitors or the infirm but for able bodied people and children it is good exercise and well worth the effort to climb to the top as the views from the top are quite breathtaking.
I have been to York many times but it was only during my most recent visit that I made the climb to the top of Clifford's Tower. The site is now in the hands of English Heritage, of which I am now a member so admittance for myself was free but for non members there is an admission charge. The current charges are:
Adults - £3.00
Children (aged 5-15 years) - £2.40
Concessions - £1.50
Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) - £7.50
Children under 5 - Free
English Heritage members - Free
If I am honest there is not a great deal to been seen once you reach the top and pass through the turnstile and enter into the interior of the walls. The interior is quite small and more or less a perfect circle in shape but the walls are very well preserved and thanks to sympathetic restoration and repairs they are now completely intact. The best views of York are actually those obtained from the top of the steep steps, just before you part with your money and enter through the turnstile since beyond this point you are closed in within its walls. There are however numerous slits within the wall, through which it is possible to peer out onto the town below.
I have always been fascinated by castles and in many ways it is the history of such places that always makes such a visit to a place like this worthwhile for me. I like to imagine what it must have been like hundreds of years ago for the soldiers that were here, defending the town from attack.
One of the most important events that occurred here took place in 1190. Following several weeks of persecution the Jewish community within the town fled, driven out of their homes, they ran to the sanctuary of the tower where they remained for several days. However as the angry mob continued their attack it became obvious that they could not remain here for ever. Rather than fall prey to the mob many of the Jews within the tower committed suicide, whilst those left behind set fire to the keep, which at that time was constructed mainly of timber. On the 16th March 1190 one hundred and fifty Jews lost their lives and the few remaining survivors were bludgeoned by the crowds outside as they emerged from the tower. Today, there is a plaque that sits at the foot of the steps leading to the tower that serves as a memorial to those that died. The inscription on this plaque reads:
"On the night of Friday 16 March 1190 some 150 Jews and Jewesses of York having sought protection in the Royal Castle on this site from a mob incited by Richard Malebisse and others chose to die at each other's hands rather than renounce their faith.
ISAIAH XLII 12"
Following this massacre and the destruction of the timber keep a new stone keep was erected, which is the one that we see today. Nowadays, this new tower stands as a stark reminder of the racial and religious intolerance suffered at the hands of the Jews. It became known as Clifford's Tower after Roger de Clifford who was hanged at the tower in 1322 for opposing King Edward 11.
Clifford's Tower is open daily throughout the year. Between March and October it is open from 10am until 6pm, during October it is open between 10am and 5pm and between November and march it is open from 10am until 4pm.
It is obvious at first sight why such a defence would originally been built in this location. As one of the highest points above sea level in York this position would have afforded views for many miles. It also lies very close to the River Ouse, which would have been the most likely way of approach by any unwelcome visitors.
York has a rich and vibrant history. In Roman times there was a huge settlement here called Eboracum and as a mark of the importance of this Roman Fort the Roman's protected their town with a huge wall that circled their Fort, today the York City Walls are incredibly well preserved and serve as just one of many reminders of the town's past. Clifford's Tower would have been, and still is today, one of the few vantage points within the walled in part of the town that offers an elevated view beyond these walls.
Access to Clifford's Tower is via 55 very steep steps that have been dug deep into the grassy hillside. Looking at Clifford's Tower from the bottom of these steps it is apparent that it would be almost impossible to reach the tower by any other means.
The steepness of the steps does mean that unfortunately this attraction is not accessible for disabled visitors or the infirm but for able bodied people and children it is good exercise and well worth the effort to climb to the top as the views from the top are quite breathtaking.
I have been to York many times but it was only during my most recent visit that I made the climb to the top of Clifford's Tower. The site is now in the hands of English Heritage, of which I am now a member so admittance for myself was free but for non members there is an admission charge. The current charges are:
Adults - £3.00
Children (aged 5-15 years) - £2.40
Concessions - £1.50
Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) - £7.50
Children under 5 - Free
English Heritage members - Free
If I am honest there is not a great deal to been seen once you reach the top and pass through the turnstile and enter into the interior of the walls. The interior is quite small and more or less a perfect circle in shape but the walls are very well preserved and thanks to sympathetic restoration and repairs they are now completely intact. The best views of York are actually those obtained from the top of the steep steps, just before you part with your money and enter through the turnstile since beyond this point you are closed in within its walls. There are however numerous slits within the wall, through which it is possible to peer out onto the town below.
I have always been fascinated by castles and in many ways it is the history of such places that always makes such a visit to a place like this worthwhile for me. I like to imagine what it must have been like hundreds of years ago for the soldiers that were here, defending the town from attack.
One of the most important events that occurred here took place in 1190. Following several weeks of persecution the Jewish community within the town fled, driven out of their homes, they ran to the sanctuary of the tower where they remained for several days. However as the angry mob continued their attack it became obvious that they could not remain here for ever. Rather than fall prey to the mob many of the Jews within the tower committed suicide, whilst those left behind set fire to the keep, which at that time was constructed mainly of timber. On the 16th March 1190 one hundred and fifty Jews lost their lives and the few remaining survivors were bludgeoned by the crowds outside as they emerged from the tower. Today, there is a plaque that sits at the foot of the steps leading to the tower that serves as a memorial to those that died. The inscription on this plaque reads:
"On the night of Friday 16 March 1190 some 150 Jews and Jewesses of York having sought protection in the Royal Castle on this site from a mob incited by Richard Malebisse and others chose to die at each other's hands rather than renounce their faith.
ISAIAH XLII 12"
Following this massacre and the destruction of the timber keep a new stone keep was erected, which is the one that we see today. Nowadays, this new tower stands as a stark reminder of the racial and religious intolerance suffered at the hands of the Jews. It became known as Clifford's Tower after Roger de Clifford who was hanged at the tower in 1322 for opposing King Edward 11.
Clifford's Tower is open daily throughout the year. Between March and October it is open from 10am until 6pm, during October it is open between 10am and 5pm and between November and march it is open from 10am until 4pm.
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