How Was York Developed Over Time?

Situated in the north of England, the city of York is steeped in history and the story of its development over the ages is a fascinating one. Founded by the Romans in 71AD, York has evolved into a vibrant, modern city and its fortified boundaries, known as the City Walls, are still largely intact, providing a wonderful reminder of its past. In this post, we explore how York has developed over the centuries and how it came to be the city it is today.

Ancient Times: York’s Foundation by the Romans

York was founded on the orders of the Roman Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD and given the name Eboracum. As a well-fortified township, it served as a base for the Roman legions and their command headquarters. The founding of this city by the Romans marked a major development in the history of York. In 122 AD Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of an impressive wall stretching 73 miles around York. This wall not only defended Eboracum from would-be attackers, but also demonstrated an advanced level of engineering capability.

Saxon and Viking Times

By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was in decline and York had become a settlement for Germanic Anglo Saxon colonists. At one stage, during the invasion of the warriors from Scandinavia, Jorvik became the capital of Viking York until the invasion of the Normans in 1068.

York Under Norman Rule

The Normans marched into York on their way to defeating the Northumbrian King at the Battle of York in 1068 AD, taking full control of the city and establishing their rule over what was then called Jorvik. William I (aka William the Conqueror) built Yorkshire’s first motte and bailey castle at Baile Hill near what is now Monk Bar. A motte was an artificial hilling formed from stone or wood to serve as a base for a watch tower or castle command.William I also set about encouraging trade and development within York. The rules for various trading activities such as cloths making were made explicit and encouraged people to move to this part of England. Around this time, (1080) the first mint was established in York.

York from Medieval Times to Modern Day

The city continued to prosper during medieval times under Norman rule. Many grand buildings including churches and monasteries were formed, plus several large civic buildings such as Lady Mary’s Hall and St Mary’s Abbey; these created a powerful impression on all visitors to York. The 19th century saw a dramatic modernisation of York as railroads and factories transformed hubs of transport in and out of York. By now, the population of York had risen to over 40,000 inhabitants and several grand developments in York beckoned, such as All Saints Church which celebrated its centenary in 1993. The 20th century saw a slight decline in population in York due to suburbanisation across Britain; but due to businesses such as Nestle moving into the city, this decline did not last long. Several artists moved to the city during this time as well, particularly members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their successors, who appreciated the sublime beauty of York’s architecture. As one of Britain’s most well preserved cities, it’s not hard to see why these new inhabitants wished to be close to York’s history!

York Today

Today York is an exciting, bustling city filled with beautiful architecture, interesting shops and plenty of tourist attractions. It is home to over 200,000 people with lively arts and music scenes, great educational amenities and fantastic dining opportunities. Much of York’s historic core has been preserved or restored; so if you like historic architecture then you should definitely consider visiting this part of England for yourself! As well as having a beautiful waterfront with boat tours along the Ouse river, there is plenty to see here from quaint cobbled streets, churches, museum and art galleries. For those who are not too keen on history though, there is still plenty to do in York today. Hotels in York are plentiful, with plenty of mid-priced and luxurious accommodation options; there are nightclubs and bars catering to a range of tastes; great cafes and cream teahouses; live theatre performances taking place all year round and a wide range of restaurants serving cuisine from across Europe and further abroad. York City Breaks have a lot of information on all aspects of life in York also, so do check out their website for more information on what’s happening in this wonderful city! The ever changing nature of life in York has been evident since it was first founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago – there has been various ups and downs throughout the centuries, with different rulers coming and going. However, due to its rich culture and vibrant atmosphere it is clear that York will continue to be a well-loved place for many years to come!