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This is a preview of the full content of our York’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

  • All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
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The app will also allow you to:

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1200–1600: Medieval York

A town becomes a city

medieval York

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).

Read the full content in the app
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Barley Hall

An hour in the middle ages – and hands-on

Bars

Bars without drinks

Bootham Bar

The oldest of York's bars

The City Walls

Security in the City

Clifford’s Tower

The conquerers' symbol of power and domination

Fishergate Postern

No horses or carts here, please!

Grape Lane

A very grown-up snickelway ...

Kings Manor

A manor fit for an abbot - or a king?

Margaret Clitherow Shrine

Reminder of a gruesome martyrdom

Merchant Adventurers' Hall

Business and entrepreneurial hub, medieval-style

Micklegate Bar & Museum

A gate with a museum in it

Monk Bar

The bar that tried to be a fort

Red Tower

At the end of the walls walk: A red-brick anti-climax?

Shambles

A picturesque street, though with a mundane history

Snickelways

Step back in time in a hidden world of medieval streets

Stonegate

A medieval street along a Roman route

Walmgate Bar

A gate with a house built on

Text © Raymond Williams

Images by , Grierson, Raymond Williams