1200–1600: Medieval York
A town becomes a city
In the Middle Ages York was an important centre of trade. Local merchants became rich and influential.
In 1212 King John (for a price) gave the town a city charter, which allowed it to govern itself, instead of by his sheriff. It paid tax directly to the crown, and had a mayor.
The importance of trade can be seen from the impressive Merchant Adventurers' Hall.
The city was dirty, noisy and crowded, and its streets housed not only people, but pigs and other animals.
There are still a number of medieval streets today, many with buildings of the time, such as Stonegate, High Petergate, Shambles and Goodramgate (with the crooked houses and shops of Lady Row).