James Gaston

York city wall

Apartment in York

Clifford’s Tower 20 Oct 2023 Clifford’s Tower 20 Oct 2023 York UK --

Clifford's Tower

If I look up from my iPad where I am right now writing this post, I see out our window an old stone tower atop a small hill. This is Clifford's Tower. Between us is a street busy with cars, double-decker busses, and pedestrians.

Clifford's Tower is the largest remaining part of York Castle. The castle was once the centre of government for the north of England. In the 11th century an earth mound was built and topped with a timber tower. In 1190 the tower was burned down after York's Jewish community, some 150 strong, was besieged here by a mob and committed mass suicide. The present 13th-century stone tower was thought to have been used as a treasury and later as a prison.

Today the tower is just a clover-shaped wall of stone. The corners protrude a bit for defensive purposes; the design affords better views of any attempts to scale the wall. Inside is a modern steel and wood structure that helps stabilize the walls and affords places for tourists to explore.

Clifford’s Tower on a sunny day

Clifford’s Tower

Inside Clifford’s tower

Inside Clifford’s Tower

Windows circled in black are our apartment

York roof tops

Ghost archer atop Clifford’s tower

York city wall

Apartment in York