York was occupied by the Romans for over 300 years before the legions were withdrawn to serve in Gaul in 400AD. In the 5th Century the Germanic tribes of the Anglo Saxons invaded the country and then on the 1st November 866 Ivar the Boneless took advantage of Northumbria being in the middle of a civil war and the Vikings captured York.
The fortress built by the Romans became the headquarters for the ninth legion and stood on the site that is now occupied by York Minster. Parts of the stone fortress can still be seen in the museum gardens, where the Multangular Tower, standing at 17ft marks the South West corner of the Roman headquarters.
209-211 York was held in high importance around this time, so much so that a royal palace was built in the city and the emperor Septimus Severus stayed there with his imperial court
306 The most important moment in the history of Roman York happened in this year with the death of Emperor Constantius Chlorus while he was visiting the fortress with his son Constantine.
312 Constantine was acknowledged as undisputed Emperor. He converted to Christianity on the eve of the Battle of Milcian Bridge which ushered in a period of toleration towards the new faith but he was not actually baptized until he lay on his deathbed, some 25 years later. The traditional site of his crowning is preserved under York Minster.
410 The Romans left the city and like much of Roman Britain around this time it fell into a period of decay and decline.
627 The Christian princess Ethelburga of Kent came north to marry Edwin, King of Northumbria and he was convinced to convert to Christianity. He and his court were baptised by Bishop Paulinus in a church that was especially constructed for the purpose. This wooden church, of which no remains are left, is considered to be the first York Minster. It was rebuilt, in stone, a few years later and dedicated to St Peter
634-71 Under the reign of Edwins sucessors, Oswald and then Oswy the remaining pagan kingdoms of Britain were converted to Christianity and York became an exlesiastical centre. This was second only to Canterbury in importance.
732-766 Egbert, who was the first recognised Archbishop of York made the cathedral, school and library of York Minster the envy of Europe
741 The Minster Church burnt down but was replaced by a glorious new church which boasted over 30 separate altars.
866 Ivar invaded York and took over the reign of the city. During his time he changed the name from the Saxon Eoforwic to the more Danish Jorvik. The Vikings established a peaceable community within the city which was based on agriculture and trade. Houses were built from wood with wattle infill for the walls. The houses were set gable-end on to the street and packed closely together in long narrow strips.
919 Ragnald, who was a Viking from Ireland, seizes York and anoints himself the King of Northumbria. He dies shortly afterwards in 921
1014 Wulfstan, the archbishop of York at the time write ‘Sermo Lupi ad Anglos’ – An Address to the English Nation
1220-1482 The magnificent Minster was rebuilt in Gothic style and the Archbishop of York was second only in religious power and influence to the Archbishop of Cantebury. A further forty other churches were built in the city during the medieval period, leaving York with a rich heritage of architecture well worth exploring.
William the Conqueror overcame King Harold and found himself nominally king of England. As he marched through the country, fighting resistance along the way, he was surprised to find no resistance awaited him at York, indeed he was given the keys to the city on his arrival. He therefore made York his base of operations in the north. He expropriated property and divided half amongst his Norman followers and kept the other half for himself.
It is recorded in the Domesday Book which was complied almost twenty years after Williams invasion of the North, that the population of Yorkshire fell from 8000 to 2000. The region between York and Durham was described as wasteland.
1055 Earl Siward dies and is buried in a church which was on the site of the present day St Olave, Marygate
1056-66 York changed hands following local rebellion. Norweigian invasion, led by Harald Hardrada, was defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, 8 miles from York. Three weeks later, the Battle of Hastings, left England in the hands of the Normans. Around this time there were 10000-15000 people living in Jorvic (York)
1070 Vikings gradually leave England and Jorvik slowly becomes York
1080 York Cathedral begins
1130 The prosperous people of the town formed themselves into a trading guild
1190 150 Jews besieged in York Castle by mob; most of them kill themselves and the survivors are murdered. York is punished with a fine.
1213 Citizens of the city buy themselves the right to self- government
1230 The present York Minster building begins to be built
1237 Treaty of York: the Anglo-Scottish border is agreed between Henry III of England and Alexander II of Scotland
1250 Henry III ordered that York Castle was rebuilt in stone; the town followed in his footsteps and begun to build the city walls in stone
1340 Minster Chapter house is built
1350 York loses out as port to Hull
1405 Richard Scrope, the archbishop of York, lead a revolt of North against Henry IV
1408 John Thornton of Coventry completed the east window of York Minster which was the largest medieval window in England
1448 The Guildhall was built by the City and the Guild of St Christopher and St George
1472 The rebuilding of York Minster, from a Norman Church, is completed with the erection of twin towers and lantern tower
1475 York goes into decline
1536 Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries led to the destruction of many of the buildings in York.
1539 York becomes the King’s Council in the Northern Parts, based at the King’s Manor
1547 City corporation decides to shut several parish churches; this finally led to 15 parishes being amalgamated.
1551 The Norman tower of Holy Trinity, Micklegate, collapses during a great storm
1586 The last performances of York Mystery Plays were performed and where not seen again for over 400 years
1630 The population of York was approximately 12,000 this year
1642 Charles I made York his capital for 6 months
1644 The city was besieged, bombarded and captured by Parliamentarians
1684 John Nevison, the highway and crime king of West Riding was hanged for murder at York.
1731 Richard, Earl of Burlington designed the Assembly Rooms
1792 William Tuke reformed the treatment of the mentally ill
1801 The cities population was now 17,000
1821 Population 19,000
1830 George Hudson, a local linen-draper invested a legacy of £30,000 in the North Midland Railway and enters politcs. This ensure that York became an important railway centre.
1839 Yorks first railway station is built
1845 The first bridge over the Ouse was built and was known as the Scarborough Bridge
1851 City population is almost 40,000
1869 The first Cocoa factory is opened by Joseph and Henry Rowntree
1878 City Art Gallery opens
1900 City population is nearly 70,000
1902 Song School established
1942 Air-raid on the city by the Germans leaves the Guildhall seriously damaged
1951 The York Mystery Plays were revived
1963 The University of York was founded
1967 The restoration project for Minsiter began
1972 The York Archaeological Trust was created
1984 Lightning struck Minster three days after the controversial consercratoin of David Jenkins as bishop of Durham took place.
1990 Restoration of the Great West Window
1998 The New west door stone carvings are implemented
1999 Introduction of the Lay Chapter
2005 The city hosts the Royal Ascot at York – which is the UK’s most
With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.
Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.
|
