Medieval York
Find out about Medieval York by learning about the people who lived here long ago. What clues are there to understand how the city grew and changed during that time.
Medieval York
In York, we use it to describe the period between about AD 1066 and AD 1485. Many of the buildings from this time are still standing today, which allows us to imagine what medieval York might have been like.
In the medieval period, York was one of the most important cities in England—second only to London in size and significance. It was home to an archbishop, and pilgrims came from far and wide to visit the magnificent Minster and the shrine of St William. There were also several communities of monks who made York their home, living and working within the city.
The city’s guilds – groups of craftsmen, traders, and industry leaders – were a central part of life. They were responsible for much of the city’s trade and craftwork, and they also organised the spectacular Mystery Plays, which were performed each year.
York was also an important place of power. It had a royal castle, and parliament met in the city several times. The city’s walls were strengthened in times of danger, particularly when the threat of invasion from Scottish armies was high. In fact, one of York’s suburbs—Bootham—was burned by the Scots in AD 1319. Even today, York’s medieval walls remain the most complete in all of England.
Exploring the Medieval City Today
If you want to see other parts of the city that would have been around at the time you can take a walk down the Shambles, a narrow street where butchers once sold their meat. You can even step inside places like Barley Hall, the home of a wealthy goldsmith and lord mayor named William Snawsell. These buildings give us a real glimpse into city life hundreds of years ago.
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