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Roman York: EboracumAlthough little is known about the pre-Roman inhabitants of York, Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of England traced the history of the community back to King Ebracus in the tenth century B.C.E. When the Romans founded a fortress in York, they called it Eboracum, which might be translated to mean "estate of Eboros," suggesting the presence of a pre-Roman settlement. During the first century A.D., the Romans asserted their control over the northern Celtic tribes, and used York as a defensive base against these northern tribes. At one time, there was an imperial palace in York, as the historian Suetonius refers to Septimus Severus living here in a palatium. During the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., the Empire faced many internal and external difficulties, and the Roman abandoned their English forts, including Eboracum, in the fifth century, leaving the English to their own defenses. Section
under the cathedral which marks the place where Constantine was crowned Viking YorkDuring the early Middle Ages, England was invaded and eventually conquered by the Danes. In 866 York became one of their northern outposts, known as Jorvik. The location of York at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss made it an ideal location for trade, and Viking Jorvik became a major center linking Denmark, the Low countries, Norway, and the Viking kingdom in Ireland. The Viking influence is still present in street names which end in "gate," from he Old Norse word "gata" or street. York's life as a separate Viking kingdom ended in 954, when Eric Bloodaxe was expelled. The remains of this Viking settlement have been excavated, and can be seen today underneath the Coppergate precinct. Some of the walls of Viking walls from Viking huts still stand.Medieval York
Another
view of the Medieval Walls To further explore York, visitors may want to take the virtual
tour of historic York. Those who want to further explore the Minster may go the the York Minster guided tour or to the Official York Minster Web Site.
To return to the medieval monasticim home page, click here. To return to the virtual tours page, click here.
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The medieval walls of
York were originally wooden, but later rebuilt in stone between 1250-1315.
They extend for over two miles, and provide a wonderful glimpse into
life in a medieval town. One can still walk along the top of the medieval
walls today, and marvel at the medieval wonders contained therein. 
Like all medieval cathedrals,
the minster stands in the heart of York. Unlike many medieval cathedrals,
it is not built on elevated ground. The Minster, like York, contains
many layers of history. Although the origins of the Minster can be traced
back to the first Christian period in York's history, the reign of Edwin
of Northumbria, the present structure dates from the rebuilding project
of Archbishop Roger Pont l'Eveque, who, starting in 1154, built the
choir, and Archbishop Walter de Grey, who began the south transept in
1220. the nave dates from 1291. The rebuilding project continued for
over two centuries, and as not complete until 1472. The York Minster
contains more medieval glass than any other Cathedral in Europe. 