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The medieval City Walls a scheduled ancient monument and a grade I listed building in York, North Yorkshire.
One of the great attractions that York is most recognised for are the City Walls guarding the perimeter of the once much smaller city.
Stretching 2.75 miles (including the gaps) the wall encircles an area of 263 acres, that’s over 130 football pitches. Retaining all four bar (gates) into the City the York Walls are the most complete example of Medieval walls in England.
The City Walls, not as we know them today, were first built in 71AD by the Romans, were made of wood and originally surrounded an area which was their headquarters, known as Principia and covered around 50 acres.
The Roman-built walls were buried beneath earthbanks after the Vikings had invaded and didn’t see them as up to the job of defending the City. They built over the walls to the North Est and West of the City and then extended southwards upto and on the opposite sides of the Rivers Ouse and Foss and back down to where the two rivers meet giving additional, natural protection to the City.
The only entrances to the City was via the four bars within the walls. These were manned toll gates who controlled who entered and exited York. Visitors bringing goods to the City to sell were charged a tax on their goods while the residents were charged a ‘Murage Tax’ for the upkeep of the walls and defences.
Although the walls had a long and well-lived lifespan, by the late 18th Century they were no longer used and they were falling into disrepair. A proposition was made in 1800 to demolish the walls and gates which were now believed to be hindering the development of York as a City, rather than helping it. Permission was initially granted but met with fierce competition. A preservation order was finally obtained in the mid-nineteenth century but it was too late for some parts as over 300 yards of wall, 3 posterns and 5 towers had already been demolished. Thankfully these have since been restored and maintained.
Today the walls are accessible from dawn until dusk and provide great views across the city. There are benches at several of the towers should you need a rest or just a sit down to take in the views.
8054
The medieval City Walls a scheduled ancient monument and a grade I listed building in York, North Yorkshire.
One of the great attractions that York is most recognised for are the City Walls guarding the perimeter of the once much smaller city.
Stretching 2.75 miles (including the gaps) the wall encircles an area of 263 acres, that’s over 130 football pitches. Retaining all four bar (gates) into the City the York Walls are the most complete example of Medieval walls in England.
The City Walls, not as we know them today, were first built in 71AD by the Romans, were made of wood and originally surrounded an area which was their headquarters, known as Principia and covered around 50 acres.
The Roman-built walls were buried beneath earthbanks after the Vikings had invaded and didn’t see them as up to the job of defending the City. They built over the walls to the North Est and West of the City and then extended southwards upto and on the opposite sides of the Rivers Ouse and Foss and back down to where the two rivers meet giving additional, natural protection to the City.
The only entrances to the City was via the four bars within the walls. These were manned toll gates who controlled who entered and exited York. Visitors bringing goods to the City to sell were charged a tax on their goods while the residents were charged a ‘Murage Tax’ for the upkeep of the walls and defences.
Although the walls had a long and well-lived lifespan, by the late 18th Century they were no longer used and they were falling into disrepair. A proposition was made in 1800 to demolish the walls and gates which were now believed to be hindering the development of York as a City, rather than helping it. Permission was initially granted but met with fierce competition. A preservation order was finally obtained in the mid-nineteenth century but it was too late for some parts as over 300 yards of wall, 3 posterns and 5 towers had already been demolished. Thankfully these have since been restored and maintained.
Today the walls are accessible from dawn until dusk and provide great views across the city. There are benches at several of the towers should you need a rest or just a sit down to take in the views.