History of York, England This northern England city called York or Jorvik, during the Viking age, is quite medieval in terms of cultural history. York is a tourist‐oriented city with its Roman and Viking heritage, 13th century walls, Gothic cathedrals, railroad station, museum‐gardens an unusual dinner served in a pub, and shopping areas in the Fossgate, Coppergate and Piccadilly area of the city. Brief History of York According to (an extensive historical source), York's history began with the Romans founding the city in 71AD with the Ninth Legion comprising 5,000 men who marched into the area and set up camp. York, then was called, "Eboracum." After the Romans abandoned Britain in 400AD, York became known as "Sub Roman" between the period of 400 to 600AD. Described as an "elusive epoch," this was due to little known facts about that period. It was also a time when Germanic peoples, Anglo‐Saxons, were settling the area. Some archaeologists believe it had to do with devasting floods or unsettled habitation, due to a loss of being a trading center then. The rivers Ouse and Foss flow through York. Christianity was re‐established during the Anglo‐Saxon period and the settlement of York was called "Eofonwic." It is believed that it was a commercial center tied to Lundenwic (London) and Gipeswic (Ipswich). Manufacturing associated with iron, lead, copper, wool, leather and bone were found. Roman roads made travel to and from York easier. In 866AD, the Vikings attacked. Not all parts of England were captured, but York was. The Vikings remained in the area cultivating the land and rebuilding the city. Eofonwic became Jorvik and later the kingdom by the same name covering the area known today as Yorkshire. These sea‐borne Scandinavians were both settlers and also raiders. York, however, being a warrior community left no sign of weaponry in their remains. Historians believe that Viking raids into England had to do with amassing wealth and the fact that their seamanship and boatbuilding enabled them to travel far from their homeland. Many Vikings, it is believed, stayed in the new lands rather than return home; therefore, York became their home. The area they lived in became known as Coppergate. Coppergate, as learned via excavation, consisted of single‐story houses and workshops and were near each other. Some had basements that were nearly 7 feet deep. The people deposited their spoils in the backyard, which lead to the rich findings in centuries to come. The Vikings were great traders and established routes from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea, Russia to Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. The Normans arrived in 1068, and this began the Anglo‐Scandinavian era. England's King Eadred and his successor, Edgar, created "the Peaceable" time, being that no foreign attack took place from 959‐975AD. York population was estimated at 30,000. Prosperity, thanks to the Vikings made it second in size to London and wealth. In 1069, the Danes attacked York, took the city, castles and killed Norman occupiers. William the Conqueror vowed to avenge what happened in the north. It became known as 'the Harrying of the North.' Thousands died from violence and famine. According to the Domesday Book of 1086, over 1,400 houses were destroyed. During the 11th century, religion led by the Normans played an important part in its rebuilding of the city. This period in history found York to be independent of the rest of Yorkshire. The city took on its own governance and accountability. Protection of the city was in the minds of the city's leaders. In 1250 lasting through 1315 the 12‐foot‐high city wall was constructed. Today, it is a tourist attraction. If you walk it, it has a narrow ledge and no barrier on one side in most places. The name York was derived from Jorvik during the Viking age. As time passed and such documents as the Magna Carta (1215) giving fundamental rights to the formation of a nation, allowed York to run its own affairs. York became known as the City of Kings, also described as the 'The Golden Age of York' and 'The Halcyon Years.' Several kings, including Richard III (1452‐1485) were connected to York and Yorkshire. Henry VII, the first Tudor king, deposed Richard III by killing him, took over in 1486. He was not popular in York and groups attempted to depose him. He sustained his leadership and was succeeded by Henry VIII. Both Henrys were bad for York in regard to taxation and controlling the common people. However, this was also the era of the Reformation. The dissolution of monasteries, primarily owned by the Catholic church caused a domino effect in not only the properties, but also their grandeur and livelihood of those who worked or served in those churches. The Protestant Reformation made for great changes in England. York the city of churches felt the effects. During the 16th century York was a hard‐liner Catholic community, resisting the Church of England. The Church of England countered by making celebrating Catholic mass punishable by death in 1581. By 1595, 30 priests were tried and executed mostly at York Knavesmire. Guy Fawkes became famous and is still remembered in York as a Protestant who converted to Catholicism. On November 5, 1605, he was discovered about to set off 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the Houses of Parliament in London. This set off a Catholic rebellion against the Church of England. Another protestor was Margaret Clitherow. Also, a convert, but interestingly her husband was responsible for reporting Catholics to Protestant authorities. Clitherow was imprisoned for a time and even gave refuge to Catholic priests. Margaret was tried and executed by pressing her under a several hundred‐pound weight. She was canonized by the Catholic church in 1970 with 40 other English martyrs. York, today, has a population of approximately over 210,000 people. Governance‐wise it is known as York, City in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. According to our guide, York has transitioned to a science, technology and created industries economy. Older manufacturing industries suffered during the recession in the late 2000s. The River Ouse is used primarily for leisure travel. Its train station is still an active part of the city with several famous hotels. This photo program shares photos taken in York. It consists of snapshots of the Wall, River Ouse, Jorvik Centre, their robust Train Station, The Grand Hotel, shortest street in York, and the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York known as York Minster. Other photo programs can be seen in the England directory.

Sources: Tour photography and Guide, http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/timeline, https://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/yorkshire/york and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York. acuri.net John R. Vincenti History of York, England