The building is little more than a shell, but it is a good vantage point to look over the surrounding area. It is shaped like a four leafed clover and was originally of two storeys. A walkway around the top of the tower gives a variety of views over surrounding buildings and across the city.
I've included an outline of the history of this tower with the previous shots in my project, but I haven't yet include one of the most shameless events in York's history, which took place on this site in the wooden tower that preceded the current stone tower.
On March 16th 1190 a wave of anti-Semitic riots culminated in the massacre of an estimated 150 Jews – the entire Jewish community of York – who had taken refuge in the royal castle where Clifford’s Tower now stands.
Seeing no way out to safety most of the Jews chose to commit suicide in the keep. The alternatives were to renounce their faith and surrender to forced baptism or death at the hands of the mob. They were led by the wealthy Jew Josce and Rabbi Yomtob, a noted scholar, who had come to York from Joigny in France. After killing their wives and children they set fire to the wooden keep and killed themselves.
A few Jews refused the option of suicide, but it seems their fate was no better, dying either in the fire, or murdered by the rioters.
The blackened remains of the fire were uncovered in archaeological excavations at Clifford’s Tower in the 20th century.
Good capture. That dusting of snow adds to the general feel and those people give it all a sense of scale too.
Shameful story all too often repeated throughout history.
beautiful shot Ian, WOW, THE story is heart wrenching.. It is just horrible what humans have always done to each other. Never will understand this.
dar
I have never seen inside the Tower but pass the outside frequently. I must rectify this and soon before all those steps prevent the option! I know the story of the Jewish suicides and wished I could have attended on Holocaust Memorial Day when there was a candlelit service.
Thank you all for your comments, and especially for the favs. I share with you the horror of the events that happened here. It's hard to understand how people can be so inhuman to each other.
There seems to be an increase in interest of Jewish history in York. Last year a new walk trail showing sites of Jewish interest was published, and as Shirley mentioned, a Holocaust Memorial Day service was held at Cliffords Tower last Sunday.
Hi again, Ian. Interesting, as a local, to see your images and read your very informative comments. I knew much of this but have never plucked up the courage to climb the steps and go inside as I have a problem with vertigo. The opportunity for some great viewpoint shots may help me overcome my fear! Thanks.
Thank you Julie. It's quite a while since I was last in there, but one improvement is that there is a better fence around the walkway, so it's not quite as unnerving as it used to be up there!
Shameful story all too often repeated throughout history.
dar
Thank you all for your comments, and especially for the favs. I share with you the horror of the events that happened here. It's hard to understand how people can be so inhuman to each other.
There seems to be an increase in interest of Jewish history in York. Last year a new walk trail showing sites of Jewish interest was published, and as Shirley mentioned, a Holocaust Memorial Day service was held at Cliffords Tower last Sunday.
Thank you Julie. It's quite a while since I was last in there, but one improvement is that there is a better fence around the walkway, so it's not quite as unnerving as it used to be up there!
Thank you Kd - it's sad that only this tower remains of the castle - the whole thing must once have been very imposing and impressive!