York was founded by the Romans in AD 71, ruled by Vikings as Jórvík, and later became a centre for railways and chocolate. Its Minster is the largest cathedral completed in the Gothic period.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages
Before AD 43
8000–7000 BC
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The first people
Archaeology suggests people were settled around York between 8000 and 7000 BC, though nobody knows if their homes were permanent. Later, in the Bronze Age, people left a hoard of flint tools and weapons by Holgate Beck, and burials on both sides of the River Ouse.
From the records: “Archaeological evidence suggests that people were settled in the region of York between 8000 and 7000 BC, although it is not known if these were permanent or temporary settlements.”
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Romans
AD 43 – 410
AD 71
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The Romans found Eboracum
York was founded in AD 71, when the Romans' Ninth Legion conquered the Brigantes and built a wooden fortress on flat ground above the River Ouse, near where it meets the Foss. They called it Eboracum, and it became their major military base in the north of Britain.
From the records: “The city was founded in AD 71, when the Ninth Legion conquered the Brigantes and constructed a wooden military fortress on flat ground above the river Ouse, close to its confluence with the river Foss.”
207
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A capital city
The emperor Severus stayed in York from AD 207 to 211 and made it the capital of the province of Britannia Inferior (northern Britain). He probably also made it a colonia, a city with special privileges.
From the records: “During his stay between AD 207 and 211 the emperor Severus proclaimed York capital of the province of Britannia Inferior, and it is likely that it was he who granted York the privileges of a colonia or city.”
306
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An emperor proclaimed
The emperor Constantius I died in York in AD 306, and the soldiers in the fortress proclaimed his son, Constantine the Great, emperor.
From the records: “Constantius I died in AD 306 during his stay in York, and his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed emperor by the troops based in the fortress.”
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Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
410 – 1066
400s
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After the Romans
By AD 400 the town was sometimes flooded by the Ouse and Foss, and fewer people lived there. York declined after the Romans left, though some people stayed on, and the Angles took it over and settled in the 400s.
From the records: “While the Roman colonia and fortress were on high ground, by AD 400 the town was victim to occasional flooding from the rivers Ouse and Foss, and the population reduced.”
627
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A king is baptised
By the early 600s, York was an important royal centre for the kings of Northumbria. Paulinus built a wooden church here, the forerunner of York Minster, and King Edwin was baptised in 627. The school now known as St Peter's School was founded the same year.
From the records: “By the early 7th century, York was an important royal centre for the Northumbrian kings, for it was here that Paulinus of York (later St Paulinus) came to set up his wooden church, the precursor of York Minster, and it was here that King Edwin of Northumbria was baptised in 627.”
700s
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A trading town
By the 700s, York was a busy trading centre with links to northern France, the Low Countries and the Rhineland. Its Minster school and library were among the most substantial in northern Europe.
From the records: “By the 8th century York was an active commercial centre with established trading links to other areas of England, northern France, the Low Countries and the Rhineland.”
865
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The Vikings take York
Vikings had raided England's coasts since the late 700s, but in 865 a Viking army landed to conquer. York and the land around it, known as Jórvík, came under Scandinavian rule. The name 'York' itself comes from the Norse name.
From the records: “The Vikings had been raiding the coasts of England from the late 8th century, but in 865 a Viking army landed with the intention of conquering rather than just raiding.”
900s
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Silk and faraway coins
A five-year dig at Coppergate from 1976 to 1981 showed that in the 900s, Jórvík traded as far as the Byzantine Empire and beyond. A silk cap survives, and coins from Samarkand were known well enough here that a fake one was used.
From the records: “From 1976 to 1981, the York Archaeological Trust conducted a five-year excavation in and around the street of Coppergate in central York.”
954
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Eric Bloodaxe is driven out
In 954, Eric Bloodaxe, the last ruler of an independent Jórvík, was driven from the city by King Eadred, who was uniting England.
From the records: “The last ruler of an independent Jórvík, Eric Bloodaxe, was driven from the city in AD 954 by King Eadred in his successful attempt to complete the unification of England.”
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Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1066
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The Battle of Fulford
On 20 September 1066, Tostig and the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada defeated the northern earls Morcar and Edwin at the Battle of Fulford.
From the records: “In September 1066 Tostig was back on the scene this time with his ally, Harald Hardrada of Norway.”
1069
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The Harrying of the North
York's people rebelled against the Normans in 1068 and again in 1069. William the Conqueror built castles here, and in the 'Harrying of the North' he destroyed everything from York to Durham.
From the records: “In 1068, two years after the Norman invasion of England, the people of York rebelled.”
1080
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A Norman cathedral
Around 1080, Archbishop Thomas began building a new cathedral, finished before he died in 1100. It was damaged by fire in 1137 but soon repaired.
From the records: “Around the year 1080, Archbishop Thomas started building the cathedral that in time became the current Minster.”
1190
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The massacre at York Castle
On 16 March 1190, a mob forced York's Jewish people to flee into the keep of York Castle, where at least 150 of them were killed. The castle keep was later replaced by Clifford's Tower. Jewish people lived in York again afterwards, until all Jews were expelled from England in 1290.
From the records: “On 16 March 1190 a mob of townsfolk forced the Jews in York to flee into the castle keep (later replaced by Clifford's Tower), which was under the control of the sheriff.”
1212
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York's first charter
King John gave York its first charter in 1212, confirming its rights to trade in England and Europe. Since 1370, York's mayor has been a Lord Mayor, one of 23 in England.
From the records: “King John granted the city's first charter in 1212, confirming trading rights in England and Europe.”
About 1230
Still here today
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The Gothic Minster
Today's York Minster was begun in about 1230 and completed in 1472. Its central tower collapsed in 1407 and was rebuilt. It is the largest cathedral completed during the Gothic period of architecture.
From the records: “The present building was begun in about 1230 and completed in 1472.”
1200s–1300s
Still here today
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The city walls
Most of York's remaining walls, which go all the way around the medieval city, date from the 1200s and 1300s. Monk Bar, the tallest and most elaborate gatehouse, was built in the early 1300s and still has a working portcullis.
From the records: “The majority of the remaining walls, which encircle the whole of the medieval city, date from the 13th – 14th century.”
1350–1475
Still here today
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The Shambles
Many buildings on the Shambles date from about 1350 to 1475. By 1426 the street was known as the 'Great Flesh Shambles' because it was full of butchers. In 1885 there were 31 butchers' shops; none are left, but some shops still have meat hooks outside.
From the records: “The Shambles preserves a large amount of original medieval-built fabric, with many buildings dating from circa 1350–1475.”
1300s
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Plays on wagons
From the 1300s until 1570, the York Mystery Plays were performed from wagons around the city. They were revived in 1951 for the Festival of Britain, with Judi Dench acting as a schoolgirl.
From the records: “Originally performed from wagons at various locations around the city from the 14th century until 1570, they were revived in 1951 during the Festival of Britain, when York was one of the cities with a regional festival.”
1405
Still here today
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The Great East Window
In 1405, John Thornton was commissioned to design the Minster's Great East Window, 23 metres tall. It's the largest area of medieval stained glass in the country. Its 311 panels were taken out in 2008 for a 10-year restoration, finished in 2018.
From the records: “The Dean and Chapter of York commissioned John Thornton in 1405 to design the 77-foot (23 m) tall and 32-foot (9.8 m) wide”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1541
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A royal visit
On their royal tour in 1541, Henry VIII and Catherine Howard visited York. They arrived on 15 September.
From the records: “In 1541 Henry VIII and Catherine Howard visited the city of York on their royal tour.”
1603
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Anne of Denmark visits
Anne of Denmark came to York with her children Prince Henry and Princess Elizabeth on 11 June 1603.
From the records: “Anne of Denmark came to York with her children Prince Henry and Princess Elizabeth on 11 June 1603.”
1644
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The siege of York
In 1644, during the English Civil War, Parliament's forces besieged York, and many medieval houses outside the city walls were lost.
From the records: “In 1644, during the English Civil War, the Parliamentarians besieged York, and many medieval houses outside the city walls were lost.”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1731
Still here today
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Races, a hospital and a theatre
York Racecourse was set up in 1731. The city's first hospital, York County Hospital, opened in 1740, paid for by public donations, and the Theatre Royal was founded in 1744.
From the records: “York Racecourse was established in 1731 and, from 1990, has been awarded Northern Racecourse of the Year for 17 years running.”
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Victorians
1837 – 1901
1839
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The Railway King
The railway promoter George Hudson, the 'Railway King', brought the railway to York in 1839. His career ended in disgrace and bankruptcy, but he helped make York a major railway centre. Around 1900, the North Eastern Railway's headquarters and works employed more than 5,500 people here.
From the records: “The railway promoter George Hudson was responsible for bringing the railway to York in 1839.”
1862
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Chocolate city
In the 1800s York became a centre for making sweets and chocolate. Henry Isaac Rowntree started a business in 1862 and was joined by his brother Joseph in 1869. By 1900, railways and confectionery were the city's two biggest industries.
From the records: “In the 19th century, it became a major railway network hub and confectionery-manufacturing centre.”
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The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1942
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The Baedeker Blitz
On 29 April 1942, York was bombed by the German air force as part of the Baedeker Blitz. 92 people were killed and hundreds were injured, and several historic buildings were gutted. Repairs lasted until the 1960s.
From the records: “On 29 April 1942, York was bombed as part of the retaliatory Baedeker Blitz by the German Luftwaffe; 92 people were killed and hundreds injured.”
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Modern times
Since 1945
1975
Biggest in Britain
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The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum was opened by Prince Philip in 1975. It's the largest museum of its type in Britain, with locomotives such as Flying Scotsman and even a Japanese Shinkansen train.
From the records: “The museum was opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1975.”
1982
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The Coppergate Helmet
On 12 May 1982, a 'crested' helmet was found during the digging for the Jorvik Viking Centre. It was restored at the British Museum by 1984. The Jorvik Viking Centre opened in 1984.
From the records: “The helmet was discovered on 12 May 1982 during excavations for the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, North Yorkshire.”
1984
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Fire at the Minster
On 9 July 1984, a serious fire broke out in the Minster's south transept. The repairs were finished in 1988 and included new roof carvings (bosses) from designs that won a competition on the children's TV programme Blue Peter.
From the records: “On 9 July 1984, York Minster suffered a serious fire in its south transept during the early morning hours.”
2000
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The great flood
In October and November 2000, the River Ouse rose and York had its worst flooding in 375 years. More than 300 homes were flooded, though no-one was seriously hurt.
From the records: “In October and November 2000, York experienced the worst flooding in 375 years; more than 300 homes were flooded.”
2014
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The Tour de France
On 6 July 2014, York hosted the start of Stage 2 of the Tour de France.
From the records: “On 6 July 2014, York hosted the start of Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France.”
2020
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The pandemic reaches England
On 31 January 2020, cases discovered in York confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic had reached England.
From the records: “The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached England after cases were discovered in York on 31 January 2020.”