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Clifford's Tower dates all the way back to the 11th Century, when it was built by William the Conqueror, as part of York Castle, shortly after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The original building was burned down within a year, though its replacement lasted until 1190, when it was burned down in anti-Jewish riots, an event commemmorated by a plaque at the base of the tower. The stone tower you see today was completed in 1270, though its roof was blown off after a fire in the 17th Century. The tower is named after Sir Richard Clifford, who was hanged here in 1322 after a failed rebellion.
It costs 2.50 pounds to enter the remains of Clifford's Tower. Inside are a number of information panels, presenting a history of the tower, and a small replica of how the tower and the castle looked in medieval times. There is also a walkway along the top of the tower, from where there are good views over the city. The views were obscured somewhat during my visit by the rain and fog, reducing visibilty to just beyond the Minster. Leave a Comment Phone: 01904 606940Directions: Opposite the Castle Museum
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 The inside of Clifford's
Tower-York-England by GroverdeanLeave a Comment Phone: 01904 606940Directions: Opposite the Castle Museum
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 Clifford's Tower by sabsi
1190, however, this fortress burned down when 150 Jews seeked shelter in there from a violent mob outside. Many of the Jews took their own lives and others died in the flames they had lit - those who finally surrendered were massacred and murdered. The tower burned down.
Later a new fortress was built at the same spot - made out of stone this time. Clifford's Tower is the only part of the fortress still existant.
You can go inside and climb it to get a nice view of the city - but we didn't. Leave a Comment
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 How Cliffords Tower originally
looked by Marpessa
Outside the entrance to Clifford's Tower (bottom of the stairs, to the left) is a plaque that reads: "On the night of Friday 16th of 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 others hands rather than renounce their faith" (Isaiah XI II 12) Leave a Comment
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I wandered through the entire exhibit at Clifford's Tower, did I miss the section on Clifford? Just who the heck was he?
The tower is set up on the top of a hill, climb up the 55 stairs to get to the admission booth. After paying the L2.80 to get inside, take a look around at the exhibits inside, I especially liked the model of York back when Clifford's Tower was something besides a tourist attraction so you could see how it related to the security of the town.
Don't miss going to the top of the Tower for a look around (yep, more stairs!) from a different perspective than the Minster. The stairs were hidden behind a gift shop so be sure to find them.
Just in case you want a bit of history, the Tower was built between 1245-1260 as a stronghold on top of the mound that was constructed during the reign of William the Conqueror in 1068. The roof and floors were lost in a fire in 1684.
And if you're still wondering who Clifford was, I looked it up after I got home and it turns out it was named for Roger de Clifford, who was hanged there in 1322, executed by Edward II for treason. Clifford was hanged in chains from the walls of the tower has since been known as "Clifford's Tower". Seems sort of odd to honor someone accused of treason though, doesn't it? Leave a Comment
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 by Gypsystravels
Although little remains of the rest of the castle, it's worth the climb to the top of Clifford's Tower for the wonderful view over York Leave a Comment Other Contact: Opened from 1 April-30 Sep: 10am
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 Clifford's Tower by londonloverLeave a Comment Phone: 01904 606940Directions: Opposite the Castle Museum
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 The tower in the summer sun by Orbital_
Views from the tower walls over the city centre are alright, yet views out over York are from the Minster are much more impressive for the money you pay. The information boards within the grounds are also quite basic and to be honest you can get all you need to know from your guidebook and admiring the site from the outside, because within it is simply a shell. But an remarkable shell at that. Leave a Comment
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 Still standing after all these
years....just by iandsmith
The tower stands on a high mound erected by William the Conqueror as part of his campaign to overthrow the North. It's not that far away to where King Harold repelled the Vikings before he had to head south to try and stop William.
William threw up two mottes (mounds) with wooden keeps on top - one became Clifford's Tower and the other, Baille Hill, can be seen on the side of the river, although the tower there has long since disappeared, being razed as a protest.
The inhabitants of old Northumbria did not abandon York to its fate. There were several uprisings against the Norman invaders. Aided by King Sweyn of Denmark, the north rose in revolt, defeated the Norman garrison and sacked York.
William retaliated with an unprecedented savagery. He retook York, and for the next two years laid waste to the country, burning crops, and destroying villages and farms.
The Domesday Book, compiled almost twenty years after William's "Harrying of the North", records that the population of Yorkshire fell from 8,000 to 2,000. More tellingly, it described the region between York and Durham as wasteland.
The city of York emerged from this devastation as a phoenix rising from the ashes. The city walls were rebuilt and strengthened, and the old woden Viking buildings were reconstructed in stone. Four new fortified gates, or "bars", were built to regulate traffic through the walls. The Foss was diverted to feed the moats of both Norman castles.
York blossomed under the Normans, and quickly regained its economic importance in the north. This prosperity in trade and commerce is reflected in the imposing Merchant Adventurers' Hall and the Guildhall. Leave a Comment Phone: 01904 606940Directions: Opposite the Castle MuseumOther Contact: OPEN: Daily Jul 17-Aug 31 9.30am
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 A tragic past by iandsmith
Clifford's Tower was the scene of what was perhaps one of the most terrible events in York's history. In 1190 the Jews of York sought refuge there after being attacked by a local mob, whose anger had been inflamed by a hermit. There are some who will suggest that they were given the choice of being either baptised or killed but they took a third option and committed mass suicide. More informed sources indicate that, after being beseiged for days they were attacked and murdered by some of the local populace and some of the many Christians, who owed money to the Jews, wiped their debts by destroying the records.
This is something I couldn't help but note is bypassed or glossed over in many references which, to my way of thinking, is a shame. It is only by learning the stupidity of past actions that, maybe one day, humans will learn not to repeat them.
At that time the tower was built of timber and so it was easily burned to the ground. It was then, rather obviously, rebuilt in the stone that you see today. Leave a Comment Phone: 01904 606940Directions: Opposite the Castle Museum
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