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Prehistoric Yorkshire Carr. It is thought that their camp was on the edge Period of a lake and was in use for between 200-500 years. The first occupants of the Yorkshire were said to have The area is rich in finds and further excavations have travelled the region some time after the last Ice Age come to mark it out as arguably the most important (around 10,000 years ago). It is thought that they Mesolithic site in Britain. Amongst the finds were the came from mainland Europe but they did not have to skeletons of 2 dogs which are thought to be among travel by boat because at this time Britain was joined the oldest domesticated pet dogs in Europe. The true to the rest of the continent by a land-bridge, a large crowning glory of the site was confirmed in 2010 with stretch of low-lying land known as Doggerland. the discovery of the oldest house ever found in the country.

Neolithic Period The or New Stone Age began about 4500 years ago and marked the start of changing lifestyles of people in Britain. Instead of following a nomadic hunter-gather way of life people began to settle and form farming communities.

One of Britain’s greatest Neolithic monuments is also in Yorkshire. Known as the ‘ of the North’, the site sits at Thornborough, near in . It is not like the great in Suffolk, as there is little to be seen from ground level.

A map of Doggerland as it is believed to have looked ca. 10,000 BCE.

During this time animals and people were able to walk freely across this land which is now submerged by the North Sea. The sea bed to this day remains a treasure trove of woolly bones and other fossil Thornborough Henge ancient monument complex © Tony Newbould. evidence. However, when viewed from above three huge The reason for these first inhabitants may have been man made circles can be seen that date from the result of tracking migrating animals like deer approximately 3,500 years ago. This is 1,000 years and elk but what we do have is evidence that they earlier than the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. felt the area was good enough to set up camp. The oldest signs of human activity in Yorkshire come When they were built the earth banks were said from Victoria Cave about 2 miles north of Settle. A to have been covered in gypsum crystals making very rare point made from a deer antler them stand out as shining monuments visible for was discovered here. Further archaeological digs miles. These sights were built at great cost and were taking place in 1947 have uncovered more evidence incredibly sacred to the inhabitants of the area during of this occupation. The main site discovered was this time. More recently it has been discovered that close to the village of Flixton about 5 miles south of the three line up with the three central stars in Scarborough, it has since been given the name Starr the belt of Orion.

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Bronze Age Around 2000 BC people started to craft metal tools Around 700BC the discovery of Iron led to dramatic and weapons for the first time. They were made out of improvements in both tools and weapons. Much the easily mined metals copper and bronze. Yorkshire more is known about this period because it was is once again an important area for sites of this period documented by the Romans. especially for burial mounds known as ‘barrows’. Many sites exist including Shunner Howe, Lilla Howe Britain during this time was a tribal nation, there were and Swarth Howe. 3 main tribes that lived in Yorkshire. East Yorkshire was the homeland of the Parisii tribe and North Yorkshire One particular site unique in a national context was ruled by the Gabrantovices but the biggest tribe was discovered in the muddy banks of the river of all was the . They controlled most of the in Ferriby near Hull. It was here in 1937 land from the river Humber to the Scottish border. that archaeologists uncovered the remains of three They were in fact the largest of all Britain’s Iron Age wooden boats. Carbon dating has identified these tribes. They were also recorded to be the original boats from approximately 1800 BC which makes them founders of settlements in Catterick, Aldborough, almost 4000 years old. The Ferriby site has since been and . The area is littered with barrows described as the ‘world’s oldest boatyard’. (burial mounds) from the period. The huge series of earthworks near Scalby known as the Scamridge Dykes are said to be a boundary marker separating the rivals tribes. Whilst the Iron Age Hillfort at is one of the highest in the country at 716m (2350 ft) above sea level.

Roman Britain The Roman invasion of Britain was swift and painful, although not entirely negative for the indigenous inhabitants. Those that chose to fight the Romans were often quickly dealt with, while those that chose peace were rewarded with the great benefit of Roman knowledge and culture if they remained loyal.

One of the major settlements developed by the Romans in Yorkshire was at (modern day York). It’s continued occupation, redevelopment and fortification made it a crucial Capital within the north for centuries even after the Romans had long since left. The Romans even made the settlement a colonia (colony) which was a great honour and one only bestowed on three other towns in Britain (alongside Colchester, Lincoln and Gloucester).

Despite being over 1,000 miles from Rome itself the Monolith and Church © Matthew Wragg city was regarded as a shining light in the empire and had a close association with a number of Emperors. Britain’s tallest standing stone is also in Yorkshire, at The great Emperor visited in 122 AD whilst Rudston. Known as the it is 1.8m the Emperors Severus and Constantius I died while (6ft) wide and about 7.9m (26 ft) tall. residing in the city. To honour his father Constantius, Emperor Constantine was even proclaimed Emperor The moorlands of the region also hold great in a grand ceremony in the city. Despite such prestige, archaeological treasure, numerous discoveries of when the began to fall York like so carved rock and ring stones have been made, some many other towns began to be abandoned and this even as recently as 2003. once great settlement fell into disrepair.

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there were some early battles overall the settlers integrated into existing communities and shared language and bloodlines. Whilst the continued the occupation of York which they came to call Eoforwic (‘wild boar town’) and made it their capital they were not used to living in towns like the Romans. Nearby archaeologists have unearthed a far more traditional settlement at in North Yorkshire. Excavations have uncovered the outlines of over 200 buildings making it one of the largest discovered villages in the whole of .

In the early 600s AD the Angles of joined forces with the neighbouring Anglian kingdom of to form a vast new kingdom called . Once Statue of outside York Minster © Green Lane again, York was it’s capital. This change was cemented in 627 AD when the Northumbrian King Edwin was The city and many of the surrounding villages remains baptised in the city. This conversion from Paganism littered with Roman artefacts. Graves and pottery to Christianity was very symbolic and many of his are surprisingly common finds whilst many of the subjects quickly followed his lead. modern buildings including the city’s great cathedral were founded on Roman foundations. The finds are The Angles and Saxons did not always live in peace also interesting because they suggest that the town and major battles like the Battle of Hatfield Chase was a truly multi-cultural settlement with inhabitants which took place near in 633 AD and the from Africa and the Middle East. Recently discovered Battle of Winwidfield, near in 655 AD were graves are said to have been of gladiators whose bloody affairs punctuated only by uneasy peace skeletons bear the bite marks of lions, tigers and settlements. Nevertheless the system stayed the bears who were also kept in the city. same until 793 AD when a new danger forced their hand towards a more unified approach; the threat of The Dark Ages / Early Middle Ages the . The period after the Romans left saw the return of a more peaceful time and lifestyles were simplified. Viking Britain Traditionally, this period has been known as the Dark The relative peace of the early middle ages was Ages but historians tend to avoid this term now shattered when the Vikings began to raid England’s because it implies it was a more volatile time than it east coast. Until this point it was thought that the actually was. Sea would offer protection for the Islanders of Britain but the Vikings showed no mercy. The Anglo-Saxon The country at this time was split into kingdoms. Chronicle noted the sight of their ships on the horizon It is thought that most of Yorkshire fell under the was like ‘fiery dragons flying through the air’. control of Ebrauc, a name that was derived from the original Roman name for York. The name however did The so called Viking raids happened annually for the not last and it was changed to Deira which was the next 50 years until 865 AD when the Vikings finally name given to it by settling German and Danish tribes decided to settle. The Anglo-Saxons called them the known as the Angles. At the same time, rival tribes . They landed in but were settling in the south they were known as the wasted little time crossing the river Humber and Saxons and Jutes. These became known as the Anglo- attacking Yorkshire. Their capture of York was strategic Saxon kingdoms from which England was eventually and the city once again gained a new name Jorvik. created. Viking battles continued throughout the country but Although this period saw many new peoples settle York remained firmly under their control. From this in the country it was an altogether more peaceful base they spread out to occupy much of Yorkshire. invasion based on trade and commerce. Although

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The prosperity and peace of the shire of York, and the rest of England, was turned upside down in the most notorious year in the country’s history, 1066. In this one year, the King of England died without an heir, causing a chain of reactions that led to two more kings taking the crown before was victorious.

The power struggle was understandable given the ’s occupation; many countries felt that they had a legitimate claim to England but in the end there could only be one. The principle claimants were: Harold Sigurdsson, King of (nicknamed ‘Hardrada’ meaning ‘stern’); William, Duke of One of many Viking influenced ‘Gates’ in York © Christopher Hilton Normandy in France and , the Earl of Wessex the old Saxon stronghold in the south. The town once again grew into a thriving settlement, Yorkshire was an important area in this conflict and much of which still marks out the city to this day. The would be the site of a major battle at Stamford Bridge Viking name for street was ‘gate’ and there are many between Harold Godwinson and Hardrada. The examples of their dominance in modern place names. ferocity of this battle combined with the long march by foot the length of the country was a deciding factor in The area occupied by the Vikings in this period was the ultimate victory of William when he invaded and so big they split it into three distinct areas. These won at Hastings later in the year. boundaries would eventually become known as the Ridings of Yorkshire. The name comes from the Once under Norman control Yorkshire did not escape Viking word for three pieces ‘thrithjungr’ which in turn punishment as William believed the area to be full of developed into the old English word ‘thriding’ and his enemies. His so called ‘’ was then ‘’. A closer look at the entomology and the perhaps the most destructive event to happen in the word ‘thirding’ can easily be seen. region’s history. The word ‘harry’ means to destroy, and William completely laid waste over 480 villages Despite a vast archaeological record of their and looted and burned a further 314. The land was left occupation in historical terms Viking control of the scorched and infertile and corpses were left rotting region did not last long, only around 80 years or so. in the streets with no-one left to bury them. Over In 927 AD the great Saxon King Athelstan seized York 100,000 people are estimated to have died. The whole and defeated the Vikings along with their Scottish area was seemingly damaged beyond repair but very allies at the Battle of Brunaburgh on the banks of the slowly the region began to recover. river Don between and . The Vikings fought back after crowning a new King of Evidence from the first national survey, the Domesday Jorvik, Eric Haraldsson of Norway. His violent nature Book, commissioned by William gives details about led to his nickname but despite his the state of the region in the period. reputation he was defeated at the Battle of Stainmore in 954 AD. Subsequently the whole of Northumbria, Villages / Populations including Yorkshire, was absorbed into the Kingdom Towns of England. For 100 years England would be at peace East Riding 424 2362 until yet another invasion, this time from the south. West Riding 719 3192 Norman Britain North Riding 639 2014 By the year 1,000, York’s population stood at around Totals 1782 7569 8,000 making it the second largest town in England after London. It was also a ‘shire town’ which Although this gives us an idea of the total population, identified it as the largest town in its area. Hence experts think that this number must be multiplied by Yorkshire. 4 or 5 as only the heads of families were counted. The

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numbers should therefore realistically be between Accurate records of the death toll in Yorkshire don’t 30,000 and 40,000 people living in the Yorkshire region exist, but it is estimated that nationally as many as at this time. 3 million died. This was almost 50% of the country’s entire population. The relative period of calm that followed the saw a changing landscape appear in the form of newly built castles and cathedrals. A number of fine examples can be found across the region. Notable castles include , Scarborough, Richmond, York, Conisborough and . The great Cathedrals that followed include York, Ripon, Sheffield, , Halifax, and . In terms of monasteries Yorkshire has many claims to fame, some of the greatest and most influential in the country were built here. Examples include: Abbey, Kirkham Priory, , , Kirkstall Abbey, Bolton Priory, Monk Bretton Priory and (said to be the home of cheese). Wharram Percy, Deserted Medieval Village © Paul Allison Medieval England This period operated at a much slower pace than in The effect of the plague was widespread and many previous centuries but it was not without its drama. people were buried in vast plague pits across the The society forged by the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings region leaving many towns and villages deserted. was further built by the and then cemented Known today as DMVs (Deserted Medieval Villages) into law. The pillars of this society were work and faith there are at least 3,000 nationally, 375 of which are in and both were strictly enforced. Yorkshire. The most well known of all is the village of Wharram Percy, about 6 miles north of Malton. At the centre of this change was the control of land and this was the key to wealth. Those with land could Middle Ages dictate their terms, those without were forced into The most notable event in this period was the ‘War of servitude or to use the medieval term ‘serfdom’. the Roses’. This was a battle for the crown of England and took place between two rival houses in the This system supported the wealth of a very small north; the and the . minority whilst the majority of the population The feud brought the country into civil war and its struggled. The best land was privately owned, influence is still felt today. although most peasants had small pieces of land where they could grow food to feed their families. The White Rose of Yorkshire is a long-standing symbol However in order to use this land the peasants were of the county. Contrary to popular belief (most notably forced into demanding labour for the landowners. dramatised by Shakespeare in Henry VI) the emblem This often left them with little time to tend their own was not a spur of the moment selection, but a crops. Failure was at times inevitable and regional calculated choice made long before the conflict. economies would often suffer because of the slightest change in circumstances. Bad weather, floods, poor The emblem dates back to Edmund of Langley the soil, pests and disease would all take their toll and first , who wanted to highlight his family Yorkshire was no exception. links with the former King Edward I who had reigned between 1272 and 1307. The King’s symbol was a The worst was yet to come. The most devastating golden rose, Edmund knew that simply copying the disease ever to hit the country arrived in 1348, via rats emblem would be insulting so he chose a white rose on merchant ships from the far east. It became known instead. It was quickly fixed as a symbol of Yorkshire as the . There was no cure, fever came and remains so to this day. fast and death was simply a matter of time.

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The phrase the ‘’ was later coined in the 19th Century by author Sir Walter Scott who Although he was executed either during or shortly first said it in his novel Ivanhoe. The conflict itself, after the battle his supporters were not finished. The much like the battles of 1066, occurred because of the aforementioned Battle of Towton was the bloodiest lack of a direct bloodline to the throne. At this time the battle ever fought in Britain. Some 70,000 soldiers country was dominated by the House of Lancaster turned out to fight in a snowstorm on Palm Sunday and the House of York and when Henry VI fell sick and in 1461 and almost half of them lay dead by the end. it was feared he would soon die, the conflict began. It was a resounding victory for the Yorkists who were led by Richard’s brother Edward. The battle was so The House of York proposed Richard Plantagenet as decisive that in a matter of months Edward became the next King and he was quick to take control. In Edward IV and he was crowned the country’s first doing so however he caused the country’s leading Yorkist King. families to take sides. They either supported the House of York or the country’s ruling Britain Lancaster. The power struggle that followed had When Henry VIII came to the throne his rule brought many twists and turns, not least the fact that Henry another threat to people in Yorkshire. His desire for recovered and had a son who would be the true heir. a male heir spilled out into British society, when he However it was too late; the battle lines had been sought to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon drawn. For the next 30 years over 18 battles took and the Catholic Church refused to support him. place between the two sides, they were amongst the fiercest ever seen on British soil. Two of the most Henry turned his anger on the church and decided famous were fought on Yorkshire soil, the Battle of to create a new faith in which he was in charge. In Wakefield (1460) and the Battle of Towton (1461). doing so he also sought to smash the influence of churches and monasteries around Britain. Ever since Richard, the Duke of York, ultimately failed to become the Norman Conquest the church had acquired land king and was killed at the Battle of Wakefield. His and by the time of Henry VIII it owned almost 1/3 of decision to leave the safety of his stronghold at Sandal the land in England. By 1536 there were around 100 Castle and not wait for reinforcements would be one monasteries in Yorkshire under threat. The only hope that would seal his fate and his place in history. The to save them was to challenge the king, this challenge short rhyme ‘Richard of York gave battle in vain’ is still became known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. used today as an mnemonic aid to help us recall of the colours of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, The rebellion began in Lincolnshire in October 1536 blue, indigo, violet (ROYGBIV). but quickly spread to Yorkshire. It found a leader in a lawyer from Selby called Robert Aske, who with 10,000 pilgrims, marched across Yorkshire and the north gaining support. Despite their early success, their peaceful protest was ultimately cut down by the King. Aske was executed for treason and by 1840 the monasteries of England were destroyed leaving little but ghostly shadows on the landscape.

Stuart Britain Rebellions against the crown continued throughout the period with varying levels of success. The was established with Yorkshire as the permanent base. This underlined the belief of successive Kings and Queens that the county was to be observed with due caution. A prime example of the need to maintain control in the region was the attempt in the early part of the period to take the life of King James I in the , supported by the Richard, 3rd Duke of York in St. Laurence’s Church, Ludlow.

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infamous Yorkshireman, Guy Fawkes. the Industrial Revolution took hold. The greatest conflict would come however during the The rise first of steam power and the move from rule of his son, King Charles I. The Civil war (1642 to working at home to working in factories were 1651) broke out because of a number of long-standing embraced in Yorkshire. The pace of change was complaints against how the country was run: the remarkable. In a period of just 5 years between 1833 divine right of royalty, religious persecution, non- and 1838 the number of mills in the west Riding representative government and excessive taxation. jumped from 129 to 606; a rate of 95 mills opening a These problems were not new and Charles himself year. By 1850 the number was closer to 880 and by and his approach was also a major factor.

When war broke out between supporters of the King (known as Royalists or Cavaliers) and those of Parliament (known as Parliamentarians or Roundheads) it was no surprise that many significant events took place in Yorkshire. Cities like Hull, Scarborough, Leeds and Bradford faced repeated sieges and many ordinary people were forced to take up arms. Major Battles such as those of Seacroft Moor, Adwalton Moor and Marston Moor marked major turning points in the conflict.

Industrial Britain Bradford’s skyline in the industrial period was dominated by mills. The Civil War concluded centuries of conflict between the people and the crown. It was a watershed moment in British history and the period that followed the end of the period there were over 2,000. was marked out by 200 years of peace which fostered Other industries in the region included the steel a huge technological transformation. industry which was based primarily in Sheffield. The metal was first made in the 1640s and quickly came Between 1750 and 1900 Britain changed from a slow to be a specialised trade utilising raw materials from moving agricultural economy to a global superpower. across the southern part of the county. The industry Britain led the way as the ‘workshop of the world’ in a became truly world famous with a discovery made large number of industries. As with so many periods in 1751 by a little known clockmaker from Doncaster in British history, Yorkshire was at the heart of this called Benjamin Hunstman. Unhappy with the steel change. he was using for the springs in his clock mechanism, he experimented until he had formed a much stronger Over the course of the period the population doubled alloy by using a cast method involving a ‘crucible’. three times. In 1670 it stood at around 400,000 for the Although sadly his method was stolen by a rival, its whole county, York being the largest town with 12,000 legacy went on to make the city the most important inhabitants and Leeds second with 6,000. By 1801 the steel production centre in the world. This legacy was county’s population stood at 860,000. By 1851 it was built on once more in 1913 when Harry Brearley was 1.8 million and by 1901 3.5 million. said to have perfected the world’s first rustless steel. It became better known as ‘stainless steel’. One of the most successful industries in Yorkshire was the production of worsted, a form of Coal too was a vitally important export from Yorkshire weaving that produced highly sought after cloth. By in the period. The Great Yorkshire Coalseam was rich the mid 19th Century 90% of the country’s worsted in so called ‘black gold’. And by 1860 there were manufacture took place in the county. The industry almost 400 pits spread across the county. The industry had a long history with the region after having being would become central to many communities across brought to England by Flemish (Dutch/Belgian) the region and millions of tonnes would be produced weavers in as early as the 12th century. Yorkshire each year. The industry continued well into the 20th had the perfect climate, natural resources and skilled Century. craftspeople to make the industry successful when

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