York's turbulent history can be traced back nearly 2,000 years, it begins really in AD71 when the Romans were at the height of their powers, they conquered the Celtic tribes known as the Brigantes and founded Eboracum (which we now know as York). In the seventh century York was known as Eoferwic, it was the chief city of the Anglo-Saxon King Edwin of Northumbria, two centuries later it became known Jorvik and became an important trading centre for the Vikings

William the Conqueror decimated the city, but by the Middle Ages it had again become an important commercial centre. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Tudor and Stuart kings were among its visitors, in Georgian times it was the social capital of the north and in the 19th century with the coming of the railway, its industrial future was assured. Today while York's trade and industry are still important, it is the preservation of its long history, which has brought it world fame. Here visitors cannot only hear about York and England's history, they can actually see it and walk in it. York truly is a city for all time and all people

Roman York: (Eboracum)

In AD71 the Roman Governor of Britain, Quintus Petilius Cerealis led his troops northwards from Lincoln to invade 'Brigantia'. Recognising a good military strongpoint he based his camp at the juncture of two rivers the Ouse and the Foss. He the proceeded to conquer the Brigantes and the Ninth Legion built a fortress on the site of their camp and called it Eboracum. On the departure of the Ninth Legion in AD120 the Sixth Legion took over the fortress which enclosed 50 acres and housed a garrison of two thousand soldiers. New roads were built and a civilian town grew up outside the fortress walls and Eboracum became the capital of Lower Britain and a leading city of the Roman Empire. Several Emperors visited Eboracum, Severus held his Imperial Court there until he died in AD211.

Anglo-Saxon York: (Eoferwic)

After the Romans withdrew, the Anglo-Saxons began their invasion of Brittain.Eventually Eboracum would become Eoferwic under the rule of Edwin, King of Northumbria, it became an important religious centre. Edwin was instrumental in re-introducing Christianity to the city and was baptised at Eoferwic.

Viking York: (Jorvik)

The Kingdom of Northumbria was in the midst of civil war when the Vikings raided and captured York in 866. Ten years later the Danish King Halfdan shared out the lands of Northumbria from his capital Jorvik, and the former warriors settled down to a peaceful existence. Jorvik became a major river port, part of the extensive Viking trading routes throughout Northern Europe. King Eadred of Wessex who succeeded in uniting Northumbria with the southern kingdom drove the last Danish ruler of Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe from the town in the year 965. But for another hundred years, the north was largely ruled by Earls of both Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian blood.

During 1065-66, following rebellion of the local earls, there came an invasion by the Norwegians and the defeat of their army at Stamford Bridge. But a few weeks later, the victor King Harold II of England was himself defeated and killed at the Battle of Hastings by the Normans when William the Conqueror invaded the country.

Norman and Medieval York.

William the Conqueror came to York in 1069 to subdue rebellion in the north. He ruthlessly pursued a policy of scorched earth, causing great destruction. The Domesday Book which was William's census of 1086, records that there was not a blade of grass between the Rivers Trent and Tweed . In time however York began to prosper, The Minster was rebuilt and soon there was over forty parish churches, an abbey, priories, friaries and religious hospitals. York was once again becoming a prof itable port and centre of trade and particularly in wool.

King Henry I granted the merchants and craftsmen the cities first Charter confirming their trading rights both in England and in Europe. Over a hundred different types the Middle Ages were practising crafts practised, each with its own Guild. The wealthiest and most powerful of these was the Company of Merchant Adventurers, the guild of overseas trading. Several guilds were still in existence or have been refounded. These include the Merchant Adventurers, Merchant Tailors, Butchers, Freemen, Surveyors, Building, Staple and the Royal Society of St George. Medieval York was the second largest and most important city in England. The existing stonewalls which surround it, and the Bars (medieval gateways), were built during this time. Kings and Queens were frequent visitors and the Dukedom of York began to be conferred on the sovereign's second son (as it still is today).

Henry III's sister and daughter were both married in the Minster, to Kings of Scotland and in 1328 King Edward III married Philippa. (The last Royal wedding in the Minster was in 1961 when the Duke and Duchess of Kent were married there). Richard II gave the city its first Sword of State, honoured its number one citizen with the title of Lord Mayor and created York a county in its own right . In 1397 the city staged a Royal Performance of the York Mystery Plays for the King - these religious plays were given by the Guilds and have since been revived with performances in modern York every four years during the York Festival.
Edward IV did not favour York because of its Lancastrian sympathies at certain stages during the Wars of the Roses. However, his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester later Richard III had a great affection for the city and was a frequent visitor. It was in York in 1483 that his young son Edward was created Prince of Wales with much pomp and ceremony.

The Civil war

During the reign of Elizabeth I, the Council of the North increased in importance and with it York's revival and influence gathered momentum. The Abbot's lodging now renamed King's Manor was restored and both James I and Charles I stayed there during visits to York. Charles set up the Royal Mint nearby and established his printing press in St William's College. However, it soon became apparent that Civil War was inevitable and Charles left York in 1642. Two years later in April 1644 the Parliamentarians besieged York, but with the arrival of Charles' nephew Prince Rupert with an army of 15,000 men, the siege was lifted.

The retreating Parliamentarians were chased to Marston Moor six miles from York. Unfortunately for Rupert they turned on his army and he was devastatingly defeated. Rupert's army limped back to York and the siege was renewed. The city could not hold out for long and on July 15 the Governor, Sir Thomas Glemham surrendered to Sir Thomas Fairfax who gave orders to his troops that nothing was to be destroyed.

Georgian York.

Following the removal of the Royal Garrison from York in 1688, the local aristocracy and gentry gradually dominated the city. While trade and manufacturing were in decline and York's role as the social and cultural centre for wealthy northerners was about to begin. Many elegant townhouses appeared, notably in Micklegate, Blossom Street and Bootham. Public buildings also enjoyed a boom and included the Assembly Rooms, Assize Courts and Female Prison, as well as numerous hospitals.