A Short History of York

Eboracumin was the largest military garrison in the North covering some 50 acres and housing 6000 soldiers.

Following the Roman withdrawl from Britain the fort and associated town fell under Anglo-Saxon rule (now called Eoforwic) and became the capital of the independent Kingdom of Northumbia. The Vikings were the next group to rule the city in 866 and "Jorvik" became an important river port in the Viking trading empire.

When the Normans invaded Britain in 1066, William the Conqueror soon established a presence in York and over the next 300 years the city flourished becoming the capital of the North and second largest city in the country.

The 1400s saw the start of a turbulent period in Yorks history. The important wool industry went into decline and the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses saw the city suffer on the losing side.

In the 1500s King Henry VIII created the Church of England and his Dissolution of the Monastries caused further upheaval to this religious city. A short period of revival at the start of the 1600s was ended during the English Civil War when Royalist York was forced to endure a Pariamentary seige and subsequent pillage. The restoration of the English monarchy saw York enter the period of englightenment with elegant new buildings such as the Assembly Rooms, Assize Courts and numerous hospitals.

The industrial era was ushered into York as the city became a major centre railway centre. This in turn helped expand manufacturing industry and saw the city's association with chocolate through the Rowntree and Terry factories.

Today, although traditional manufacturing has declined, new industries have sprung up in the city and with nearly 4 million visitors a year, the tourist industry now plays a major role in the local economy.