Cliffords Tower

Cliffords Tower, or York Castle, was the keep to the medieval Norman Castle, and the original fortifications were built nearly 1000 years ago. It now provides one of York’s iconic images.

Origins of Cliffords Tower

Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 following the Battle of Hastings and successful Norman Invasion, the purpose of the original York Castle was to subdue anti-Norman sentiments in the North of England. The tower is situated in a key strategic position, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss, offering natural protection from two sides.

In 1069, William built a second castle on the other side of the Ouse at Baile Hill. Both castles were destroyed during the Viking invasion of 1069, when a Viking fleet sailed up the Ouse. However, not by the Vikings – the Normans accidentally set fire to the castles whilst trying to defend themselves! The castle on the site of Cliffords Tower was rebuilt, again in timber.

Dark History & the Jewish Massacre

In 1190 the castle hosted one of the darkest moments in York’s history when 150 Jews took refuge from a local mob, following a number of violent anti-Semitic attacks.

Rather than surrender and fall in to the hands of the mob, many of the Jews chose to take their own lives. They set fire to the castle, destroying the structure. Any surviving Jews were massacred by the angry mob. Today there is a plaque marking the event, located on the mound at the tower. It states:

“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.”

Towards the end of the 13^th Century, the castle was again rebuilt, this time in response to the threat of invasion from the Scots.

This time it was rebuilt in stone, and it is this structure that you see today. The design used an unusual quatrefoil plan, of which there is no other example in England.

The origins of the ‘Cliffords Tower’ name are unclear. Some believe that it was named after Roger de Clifford who was hanged there in 1322. Others believe that it is more likely named after Henry Clifford, the last Earl of Cumberland, who was the last to garrison the castle in the 17^th Century.

Civil War stronghold

Over the centuries the castle has served as a place of residence, a Mint, a place of execution, an administrative seat and a garrison. In 1644 the castle acted as a Royalist stronghold during the Siege of York, when Parliamentarian troops surrounded the city walls.

At one stage, the Parliamentarian force numbered more than 30,000 men. For weeks they bombarded the city with cannon and musket fire, attacking the gates and walls. Incredibly the city held out for over 2 months.

The defeat of Parliamentary forces at the Battle of Marston Moor just west of York on 2^nd July effectively ended the siege. The Battle proved to be a key turning point in the Civil War.

Only days later on 14^th July, the Royalists surrendered the City of York to the Parliamentarians. Clifford’s Tower was ransacked and its future remained uncertain.

Once Charles II was instated as King of England, the Tower received much needed repairs, restoring it to its former glory. However, the reason it is now only a shell is because of a magazine explosion in 1684 that ripped through the tower, destroying the roof and inner structures and only leaving the outer ramparts standing.

It is suspected that this explosion was intentional, as nobody was injured and many valuables had been conveniently removed beforehand. At the time, the Tower was considered an eye-sore and redundant by many locals, who wished for it to be demolished. From that point forward, the Tower has been left empty.

In the 18^th Century, three new buildings were built to neighbour Cliffords Tower. The County Gaol, The Law Courts and the Female Prison, which formed a u-shaped courtyard called Castle Green to the south of the keep. These buildings now house the Castle Museum and York’s Crown Courts. Around Christmas time, an ice rink is constructed on Castle Green.

Modern Day

Cliffords Tower is an iconic image of York, especially around spring time (April) when the entire mound of the tower is a sea of yellow daffodils.

The tower is now owned & maintained by English Heritage. The stunning views of York that you get from the ramparts of the Tower make it one of the most popular attractions in the city.

Baile Hill Castle

Baile Hill Castle, located on the opposite side of the River Ouse to Cliffords Tower (on the south side of Skeldergate Bridge) was the sister castle to Clifford’s Tower.

Built by William the Conqueror in 1069, it was not used for long by the Normans, and had a less pivotal role than Clifford’s Tower.

By the 14^th Century it had been incorporated in to the City Walls.

The only time it saw action was during the Civil War Siege of York in 1644 when the Hill gave a vantage point for royalist artillery.

Nothing is left of the castle now – only the mound remains, covered in trees behind the entrance to the walls.

Visitor Information for Cliffords Tower

Proximity to Minster – 850 metres; 11 minutes

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