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Clifford's Tower

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Editor Pick

Clifford's Tower-the Eye of York, the Eye of History

  • October 12, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by happysh2009 from tu, United Kingdom
Clifford's Tower-the Eye of York, the Eye of History

Advantages: Convenient location, informative historical site with magnificent views.

Disadvantages: No audio guide available. No disability and toilet facilities.

York is a unique historical city in north of England and has so many features to form its reputation as the crowned European Tourism City of 2007.

Clifford's Tower is also known as the Eye of York and is a popular site for tourists from around the world.

Location

Clifford's Tower stands in the centre of York as a proud symbol of the power of England's medieval kings. It is located on top of a green, grassy hill and can be seen from a distance. Climbing 55 very steep steps and with a sweeping panorama of York, it isn't hard to understand why Clifford's Tower is called the Eye of York and played such an important role in the history of England.

History

Clifford's Tower takes its name from Roger de Clifford, who following the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322 was hung in chains from its battlements, when he was executed for treason against Edward II.

Originally there was a castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068 to subdue the rebels of the north. After twice being burned to the ground Henry III rebuilt a typical French castle in the 13th century. A Frenchman called Henry of Reyns may have designed Clifford's Tower and later was employed by the king to build the new Westminster Abbey.

There is a grisly story connected with Clifford's Tower concerning the Jewish community. There were riots against Jews of York in March 1190. Similar things happened in other European countries at the same time too. Many Jewish people took shelter inside a wooden tower on this site, but came under heavy attack from the citizens as well as a few local knights. Rather than be captured and killed or renounce their faith, on the night of Friday 16 March around 150 Jews and Jewesses set fire to the tower in an attempt to commit suicide. Those who survived were caught and massacred by the rioters. To commemorate the tragedy and learn lessons from history there is a big plaque at the foot of the tower. You can also see an information panel inside the walls telling more about the history.

What you can see

Clifford's Tower contained two floors linked by spiral staircases in the thickness of the walls, and some of the internal walls and the roof have been lost. However you can still see many things, such as a stone-cupboard, windows and original decoration.

1. The ground floor

The ground floor is pretty plain with a simple entrance and a small gift shop. However you will spend more time there studying all the information panels that tell the story of York Castle and Clifford's Tower. At the centre of the yard there is a scale model that shows how York Castle was built, who the officials in history were and how the castle protected York from the threat of the Scots and the Danes. In practice the castle was never attacked in the Middle Ages, but was fully equipped to defend itself if necessary.

2. The medieval chapel

This is located on the first floor and contains some of the best surviving medieval architecture in Clifford's Tower. On the left side you can clearly see the decorative arcading on the stone wall. However the thin columns of the stone wall are missing; just a stone wall-cupboard remains, which was used to contain the vessels for religious services. The fires that happened here have coloured the walls red. Some decorative work is also vaguely seen on the wall opposite the wooden door. The door is very low and narrow. The stone floor is uneven and the chapel size is less than 10 square meters. It has two windows on the left side and right side. The stone wall-cupboard on the left wall, as I mentioned above, is under one of the windows. The right side wall has a long, but narrow window, from which you can look directly at the main gate into the tower.

Historically the chapel was built for the king to take Mass, when he might be staying in York. However the king rarely visited it and the chapel was used for other functions. In 1362 it was used as a store room and was called 'The Treasury'.

3. Views from the top

One of the best things about Clifford's Tower is to climb the spiral steps to the top. Walking along the walls you can see almost all of York even more if the sky is clear, such as Fairfax, York Minster, York Castle Museum, the River Ouse and Rowntrees, a famous chocolate factory in the distance.

The best view is of York Minster. Two tall medieval Gothic towers are surrounded by low red houses. Without the busy traffic and Hilton Hotel beneath you may think you had come upon the setting for a film called The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Opening Time and Entrance Fee

Clifford's Tower is open daily except Christmas day and New Year's day. In summer time it opens from 10am to 5pm. In winter time it closes one hour earlier.

It's free for English Heritage members and York Pass holders. Normally there is a charge of £3.50 for adults, £1.80 for children and £8.80 for families.

My opinion

Before I visited Clifford's Tower I had read a few articles about it. When I was there I was still shocked by what I saw, in particular the sad story of the Jews. Compared to other castles I have visited in England the tower is small, but more touching. I felt my heart was in pain, and my soul was seen by those people who lost their lives there. Their eyes seemed to watch me. I feel ashamed I have known so little medieval history.

However I do think the tower is worth a couple of hours of your time when you visit York. Last but not least you can visit York Castle Museum, which is near to Clifford's Tower, and explore more of the great history of York city and England.

Summary: Medieval ruin, but still alive.

From journal Five places I have visited in York

Editor Pick

Clifford's Tower

  • July 8, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Clifford's Tower

Not unlike most remaining structures in the British Isles, the building now known as Clifford's Tower just outside of York town centre has a rich and checkered history.

Its story begins in the city as a wooden structure atop a small local hill designed to help subdue anti-Norman feelings in the northern part of the country. The original structure was built around 1068 - a time when York was a very important area in the kingdom, and a base for a lot of England's dealing with the northern half of the island and all its invaders.

Originally commissioned by William the Conqueror - the castle went through several stages after being subjected to rebel sieges and rebuilt in wood by the Normans and finally later in the 13th century in stone in the form it stands in today.

It is the site of a terrible story of uprising and confusion in the year 1190 when members of the Jewish community - fleeing persecution through out England and seeking safety in the tower - burned the tower down around them. It is said that they became so fearful of outsiders that they refused to let officials into the castle; and in the mounting confusion many of them committed suicide rather than allow themselves to be taken by the mob which had gathered outside the walls - and the tower was burned down.

Today there is a plaque at the foot of the castle which commemorates those lost in the fire.

Historically rich - as pretty much everything in York is, Clifford's Tower (later named after Roger de Clifford who was hanged at the tower) is well worth seeing, and ended up as one of my favourite bits of the city.

Just a few minutes walk outside the city, this place is extremely easy to find as it is on Tower Street just following Clifford Street. It’s a nice walk (not through any dodgy areas) and as the tower sits atop a little hill in the relative open; it's almost impossible to miss.

It's another of the sights that is just as good to see with out having to pay the admission fee. You can go inside for a small fee and see the prisons, and a wonderful view of the city from the walls; but if you are simply short the extra few pounds or don't have the time to make the climb up - it will not have been a wasted trip.

The tower leaves a great impression, and makes for some very profound photos. Also, it is very near to the York Castle museum, which makes it even more convenient.

Knowing nothing about Clifford's Tower when I arrived, I am deeply pleased I took a friend's advice and made the little walk out to see it. Easily one of the simple highlights of the city.

From journal In the Footsteps of the Romans and the Vikings...

Editor Pick

Clifford's Tower

  • September 17, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by UK Flower Girl from Market Weighton, England
Clifford's Tower

Clifford’s Tower, operated by English Heritage, sits atop a hill in the south part of the city centre and is one of York’s most familiar landmarks. William the Conquerer erected the towers when he chose York as his military headquarters in the North. In fact, he erected two wooden keeps, Clifford’s Tower and Baille Hill, on mounds on either side of the River Foss. The keep on Baille Hill is no longer there. The name, Clifford’s Tower, came from Roger de Clifford, who was hung at the tower after the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.

The most famous story behind Clifford’s Tower is that of the events that surfaced here in 1190. Around 150 of the city’s Jews sought sanctuary here when faced with either being killed or forcibly baptised by an angry mob. Instead of being baptised or killed, they chose to commit mass suicide. The angry mob then burned the wooden castle to the ground (or the Jews burned down the castle and the mob killed the survivors. I have heard both stories). The keep was rebuilt in stone during the reign of Henry III when it formed part of the substantial fortification, surrounded by a moat formed by diverting the River Foss. An approximation of what used to stand here is shown on signs within the tower.

The Tower has been used for other things over the years such as York’s administrative centre and a prison. The prison, which was a large complex, was made of several buildings as well as the Castle Museum. More recently, the other prison buildings were demolished and the other buildings were opened to the public for their historical significance.

Clifford’s Tower is free using your York Pass. Normally, there is a charge of £2.80 for adults and £1.40 for children, and a family pass is £7.

Yellow daffodils in full bloom covered the mound the day we visited. The climb to the top of the tower is relatively painless for most, but it is a steep climb of 55 steps. The walkways once you are inside the tower can also be treacherous. It is definitely not handicap-accessible or for those with walking difficulties.

The view of York from the Tower is splendid. There are panoramic signs that show exactly what you are seeing in your view. You can see such things as York Minster, Fairfax House, both Rivers, and on a clear day out to the North York Moors.

Overall Clifford’s Towers is a great place to visit, even if you only go for the views. If you use your York Pass it won’t cost you a thing. A car park is available right at the foot of the tower, if you can find a space, that is. Also note that there is a gift shop inside the tower.

From journal Experience Jorvik: The Old York

Editor Pick

Clifford's Tower

  • October 24, 2000
  • Rated 2 of 5 by Adelaide from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Clifford's Tower

Located on top of a hill, Clifford's Tower was built in the 13th century by William the Conqueror. In 1190, when a wood tower existed on this site, a tragedy took place there: the Jewish population committed a mass suicide, as a response to the attempts of forcing them to be baptized.

From journal A day in York

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