A Tour of Medieval York (The Secular)

Visiting the Architectural Secular Remains of a Medieval City

Oct 1, 2009

York provides perhaps the best-preserved selection of medieval architecture of any English city, all within easy walking distance for the visitor.

York is one of the finest and most complete examples of a walled city and its walls provide a reference for the medieval buildings which give the city its unique character.

The foundation of the walls which encircle the city of York pre-date the medieval period and may have their origins in the defensive earthen ramparts of Roman times. These were heightened after the Norman Conquest, but it was not until the thirteenth century that work on creating a stone wall was begun. The building continued for many years, creating over 2 miles of walls, four gates and 44 towers. The wall remained complete until the beginning of the nineteenth century, since when the development of road systems has led to major changes. The four gates: Bootham Bar, Micklegate, Walmgate and Monk Bar all remain, the latter still housing much of the mechanism that powered the medieval portcullis.

Following the Norman Conquest, two castles were built at York, one on each side of the River Ouse. Only one, however, that in the most strategically placed position to the east of the River was rebuilt in stone in the thirteenth century. Of this structure, the keep, Clifford’s Tower, built in the mid-thirteenth century survives and welcomes visitors. Reached by way of a steep flight of steps, the Tower offers fabulous views of the City, including the great Gothic Minster. Other remains, of the castle’s curtain wall and other towers can also be glimpsed amongst the buildings which today house the Castle Museum and court buildings.

York was a centre of great trading in the middle ages, largely as a result of the flourishing wool trade. Organised in guilds, which created mutual support and protectionist policies, the merchants and tradesmen of York flourished. The extent and prosperity of these medieval tradespeople can be seen in the architecture of the buildings associated with their guilds, of which four medieval guild halls remain.

The Merchant Adventurer’s Hall, which can be found in Fossgate, is an excellent example of fourteenth century architecture and originally housed the Guild of Mercers and Merchants. The Merchant Taylor’s Hall in Aldwark and St. Anthony’s Hall at Peaseholme also display medieval architecture, whilst the City Guildhall which dates from the mid-fifteenth century was substantially renovated following severe damage sustained in an air raid in 1942.

Medieval Houses in York

Of York’s other medieval houses, many are timber-framed. The oldest can be found on Goodramgate, built in the early fourteenth century. Others, on Stonegate date from the later fifteenth or sixteenth centuries. This increase in building and thus the increase in surviving buildings was probably occasioned by the increasing development of the wool and cloth trade in the early fourteenth century. It is to this economic growth that we owe much of the legacy of medieval York.

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