York Castle is an area of York near the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and the Foss. The Castle was later dismantled, but the site is of Clifford's Tower, a tower built atop a Norman bailey, the courts, Yorkshire museum and former prisons.

Clifford's Tower

Clifford's Tower is the castle keep and all that remains of York castle. The castle was originally constructed on the orders of William the Conqueror in 1068.

The wooden tower was burnt to the ground in 1190, along with 150 of York's Jews who perished in the fire.

The walls of the stone tower still stand, but the roof and central pillar are gone.

The tower was rebuilt in stone between 1245 and 1265. The castle's bailey walls, towers, gates, bridges, two halls, a chapel, a kitchen and a prison were all built at this time.

The name Clifford’s Tower was first recorded in 1596. Before then it was called the Great Tower.

In recent times, the surrounding area of Clifford's Tower has been considered for retail development. Some citizens, visitors, academics, environmentalists, local businesspeople and Jewish groups have opposed the development with some success, winning a lengthy and bitter Public Inquiry in 2003.

External link

• Castle Area Campaign in the City of York